We live underneath a silent guardian and an invisible fragile shield that wraps our planet. This is the Ozone Layer – Earth’s Natural Sunscreen, and we celebrate it on September 16th year after year. This year, World Ozone Day is celebrated under the theme of “From Science to Global Action” emphasizing the link between scientific findings on ozone layer depletion and the effective solutions that followed.
We can think of the Ozone layer as the Earth’s immune system. Just like our immune system defends our bodies from harmful bacteria and viruses, the Ozone Layer protects the Earth from Sun’s damaging harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But it was depleting in the late 1970s and continued through the 1980s and 1990s, due to the release of certain man-made chemicals such as CFCs, and this resulted in the phenomenon of the ozone hole. Such severe thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica, allows more harmful UV radiation from the sun to reach the Earth’s surface. Excessive UV exposure causes increased rate of skin cancer, cataracts etc. and triggers widespread ecosystem disruption.
World Ozone Day marks the anniversary of the Montreal Protocol; an international treaty signed in Montreal, Canada, on September 16th, 1987, primarily led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to weed out the ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The committed nations phased out the production and consumption of nearly 100 ozone depleting-substances. The aforementioned protocol served as the roadmap for recovery. Today, over 99% of ozone-depleting substances have been abolished worldwide and the ozone hole has begun to shrink. Scientists predict a full recovery to pre-1980 levels within the next few decades.
The substances that depleted the ozone layer were powerful greenhouse gases too. By gradually cutting them out, a major role was played in combating climate change. Such as curbing global warming, reduction of potent greenhouse gases, promotion of energy efficiency etc. This highlights the correlation of our environmental challenges.
As we commemorate World Ozone Day today, let us recall the journey: from a critical scientific discovery to an international cooperation which led to a positive ecological outcome. It shows us that with hope and unity we can successfully address the other great challenges we face. Our world is on the mend, however it needs us to be vigilant, green, sustainable and committed to its protection.
The next time you walk outside, take a moment to reflect on our protective shield. Now ask yourself:
What if the ozone hole had never been unveiled? What if the world remained passive? What would our world look like today, and how would it affect our future?
Written By: –
Rtr. Lumina Moses
(Junior Blog Team Member 2025-26)
Edited By: –
Rtr. Chamodi Sathsarani
(Senior Blog Team Member 2025-26)
