Both in the past and present, mankind have been bewildered by so many
environmental hazards and challenges. Presently the worst of these challenges
is mainly attributable to depletion of the Ozone Layer.
The Ozone Layer is a fragile shield of gases that protects the earth
from the harmful ultraviolet radiation or rays of the sun thereby helping to
preserve lives on the said planet.
A number of commonly used chemicals like halocarbons and/or organic
compounds have been found to be extremely damaging to the Ozone layer.
Halocarbons are chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked to one
or more halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine. The halocarbons
containing bromine usually have much higher Ozone-Depleting Potential (ODP)
than those that consist of chlorine.
The manmade chemicals that have provided most of the chlorine and
bromine for Ozone depletion are methyl-bromide, methyl-chloroform,
carbon-tetrachloride, and families of chemicals known as halons,
chlorofluorocarbons and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. In the same vein; the
damaging impacts of organic compounds like carbon monoxide on the Ozone layer
cannot be overemphasized.
The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the Ozone layer prompted
the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take
drastic action to protect the Ozone layer. This was formalized in the Vienna
Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted by
twenty-eight (28) countries on 22nd March 1985. In September 1987,
this led to the drafting of the Treaty on The Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was duly signed by all the United Nations
Member States.
The fundamental aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the Ozone
layer by taking severe measures to control total global production and
consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate target towards
their elimination from the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and
technological information.
In view of the steady progress made under the Montreal Protocol, in
2003, the former United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan stated,
“Perhaps the single most successful international agreement till date has been
the Montreal Protocol.” His views were shared widely among the international
community.
In respect to the sustenance of the widely observed Montreal Protocol,
on 19th of December 1994, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly
proclaimed September 16 of every year as the International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The UN annual International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer focuses on the importance of protecting human
health and the environment in general.
The phase-out of controlled uses of Ozone depleting substances has not
only helped to protect the Ozone layer, but has contributed immensely and
significantly to global efforts of addressing climate change. This year’s
commemoration of the Int’l Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is
calling for greater awareness regarding the Ozone Layer’s preservation in order
to fully actualize the aim of this remarkable globally recognized crusade.
During the 2013 commemoration of the Day, which was marked with the
theme “A healthy Atmosphere: the Future we want,” in his message to the world,
the current UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon commended all who had made the
Montreal Protocol such an outstanding example of international cooperation. He
went further to urge governments, industries, civil societies, and other
partners to apply the same spirit to the other great environmental and
developmental challenges of our time.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2015
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, we are expected to
contribute our quota with a view to ensuring that we actualize an atmosphere or
environment that is totally free from any harmful substance.
Nigeria as a country can encourage this annual event by implementing drastic and severe measures that would help to eradicate all the activities contrary to the preservation of the Ozone layer such as bush burning, inappropriate use of generators and other household mechanical devices, coupled with other industrial practices that exhibit Carbon-monoxide (smoke) as well as other substances that negatively affect the Ozone layer. A strict and formidable law, which ought to be enacted by the National Assembly, would help to rigorously address the aforementioned anomalies if duly implemented.
Most importantly, it is worth noting that all hands are equally expected
to be on deck towards the actualization of a country/society completely free
from any form of environmental hazard or degradation. Think about it!
COMR
FRED DOC NWAOZOR
(TheMediaAmbassador)Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056 http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com
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