Degradation of the ozone layer can result in skin cancer and eye cataracts, and can harm marine life and ruin crops.
In commemoration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (Ozone Day) 2016, the Department of Sustainable Development will host a week of activities.
The activities will be held from Sep. 12 - 16, and will include an Ozone Day Address by the Minister for Sustainable Development, a series of articles in local newspapers, technician training in good refrigeration and air conditioning practices, presentations at selected primary schools, and a sale on recovery and recycling equipment for the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
Ozone Day is celebrated annually on Sep. 16. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 with the aim to spread awareness on the depletion of the ozone layer and to promote efforts towards ozone layer protection.
This year, ozone day will be celebrated under the theme “Ozone and Climate: Restored by a world united." The theme is complemented by the tagline “working towards reducing global-warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol.”
The theme was chosen in recognition of over three decades of concerted efforts of parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol towards the restoration of the ozone layer and the global commitment to combat climate change.
Degradation of the ozone layer can result in skin cancer and eye cataracts, can harm marine life, ruin crops and even degrade wood, plastic and other construction materials.
While the ozone layer is expected to recover by the middle of the century, the elimination of ozone depleting substances has presented an additional challenge. This is because the phase-out of ozone depleting substances has led to the increasing use of alternatives with higher global warming potentials such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This poses a threat to our climate.
Parties to the Montreal Protocol have demonstrated their commitment to combating climate change by adopting the “Dubai Pathway of Hydrofluorocarbons” where they agree to work towards adopting an amendment to the Montreal Protocol aimed at reducing the production and consumption of these harmful substances. According to scientific information, fast action under the Montreal Protocol to reduce HFCs could result in the avoidance of a 0.4 degrees Celsius increase in global warming and thus contribute to meeting the ambitious goals set in the Paris Agreement.
The Sustainable Development and Environment Division would like to remind the public that every action counts in the fight against ozone depletion and climate change. Consumers can help limit ozone depletion by purchasing ozone and climate friendly products and equipment like solar air conditioning units instead of a conventional ones to gain double benefits; and by confirming that you are hiring a certified technician to perform repairs on your air conditioning units, refrigerators or vehicles by checking the identification card issued by the Sustainable Development and Environment Division.