Preserving ozone layer protects earth and preserves life

#PreservationoftheOzoneLayer; #WorldOzoneDay2018; #UnitedNations; #MontrealProtocol
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New York,  Sept 17 (Canadian-Media): With record-breaking heat once again enveloping the earth this year, United Nations (UN) declared Sept 16 as an the International Day for preservation of the Ozone Layer.

Phasing out ozone-depleting substances protect the ozone layer --  a fragile shield of gas, which protects the earth and preserves life -- and contributes to global efforts to address climate change.

The theme for World Ozone Day 2018 is a motivational call urging all of us to carry on with the exemplary work of protecting the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol --  a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer -- by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. 

The theme has two connotations – that our work of protecting the ozone layer also protects climate and that the Montreal Protocol is a “cool” treaty, as exemplified by its outstanding success.​

World Ozone Day. Image credit: ozone.unep.org

​Looking at concentration of ozone layer due to chlorofluorocarbons, found mainly in refrigerants and aerosol sprays,  over the Antarctic pole, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres said it was “a pivotal time for climate action” and said.

​ “We can draw inspiration from the Montreal Protocol, a shining example of how the world can come together for people and planet,” added Guterres. 

For over three decades, the Montreal Protocol has done much more than helped repair the ozone layer.

 “Thanks to this global commitment,” Guterres stated, “the ozone layer is expected to return to its 1980 levels by mid-century...It has shown us how environmental governance can respond to science, and how countries can come together to address a shared vulnerability."

Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, who had discussed this  week town hall in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the cause of carbon pollution in the atmosphere, also tweeted as follows:

What’s the best way to take real action on climate change? Here’s my response from this week’s town hall in Saskatoon about why we’re moving forward with putting a price on pollution: pic.twitter.com/A7xmhftaQv

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 16, 2018

​(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)