September 16: A Day for the Ozone Layer

Imagine going outside and feeling like you’ve walked into a microwave. Scary, right? That’s not some wild sci-fi plot — it’s our possible future if we don’t take care of our ozone layer. Every year, on 16 September, we observe World Ozone Day to remember this invisible shield so vital to our survival, and how our every act can either protect it or hurt it.

The United Nations declared World Ozone Day to be observed on 16 September in 1987 when the Montreal Protocol, the first agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances, was signed. This is a renewal of commitments towards safeguarding the ozone for generations to come.

You must be thinking, “What’s the big deal about the ozone layer?” Well, this thin, watery gas high up in the atmosphere protects the Earth from the harmful UV Rays of the sun – like sunscreen. These UV rays can cause skin cancers and cataracts, damage crops and disrupt the marine ecosystem.

Get the digital edition of the September 2024 issue to read the full article.