Ozone Day: Ban calls for more effort to protect atmosphere

Ahead of the International Day for the Preservation of the ozone Layer coming up on the 16 September, 2016, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has called on global citizens to commit to do more to protect the atmosphere.

The UN Chief in his message for the occasion urged citizens to remember how much has already been accomplished and commits to do more to protect the atmosphere by working together.

He went further, “On this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, let us remember how much has already been accomplished, and commit to do more to protect our atmosphere. By working together, we can build a safer, healthier, more prosperous and resilient world for all people while protecting our planet, our only home.”

In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114).

States were invited to devote the Day to promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol and its amendments. The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.

As a result of concerted international efforts, the ozone layer is healing itself and is expected to recover by the middle of this century. In addition, the Montreal Protocol has significantly contributed to the mitigation of climate change by averting the emission of more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere by simply phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

Additionally, as mandated by the “Dubai Pathway on Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)” adopted in 2015, parties are working within the Montreal Protocol to an HFC amendment in 2016 by first resolving challenges by generating solutions in the contact group on HFCs. According to scientific information, reducing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol can avoid 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.

Similarly, Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer will achieve the final phase-out of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) this year with the phase-out of CFCs used in metered-dose inhalers (MDIs).

More than 98% of the CFCs used in MDIs have already been phased out, and will disappear completely in 2016, a significant milestone following 30 years of concerted global action to protect the ozone layer.

Affordable CFC-free alternatives for all inhaled treatments have been developed over the last 20 years, and are now available worldwide.

In 1996, when CFC-based aerosols were phased out in developed countries, CFC-free replacement inhalers were not available for the hundreds of millions of patients with asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide who relied on them, and so a temporary exemption was allowed

The phase-out of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances and the related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations, but have also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth.

The introduction of CFC-free alternatives has had benefits for patient health, thus generating a double-dividend gain. The extensive educational campaign associated with this transition has had a positive impact on the health of patients by increasing the awareness of the benefits of CFC-free alternative therapy.

While inhaled therapy doubled in the last 20 years to meet the health needs of patients, CFC MDIs were safely phased out to help meet the needs of the global environment.

The theme for the 2016 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to be marked on 16 September is: Ozone and climate: Restored by a world united

The theme is complemented by the tagline: Working towards reducing global-warming HFCs under the Montreal Protocol

The theme for this year’s International Ozone Day recognizes the collective efforts of the parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol towards the restoration of the ozone layer over the past three decades and the global commitment to combat climate change.