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UN message on 30th anniversary of the convention for the protection of the ozone layer

Wednesday, September 16th 2015 - 08:29 UTC
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Together, we have succeeded in putting the stratospheric ozone layer on the road to recovery by the middle of this century, underlined Ban Ki moon Together, we have succeeded in putting the stratospheric ozone layer on the road to recovery by the middle of this century, underlined Ban Ki moon
Under the Montreal Protocol, the world united to slash the production and consumption of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. Under the Montreal Protocol, the world united to slash the production and consumption of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances.
As a result of the ozone campaign, up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year, along with even more avoided cases of eye cataracts. As a result of the ozone campaign, up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year, along with even more avoided cases of eye cataracts.

Not so long ago, humanity stood on the brink of a self-inflicted catastrophe. Our use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) had torn a hole in the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.

 But we tackled this challenge. Thirty years ago, the international community signed the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Under its Montreal Protocol, the world united to slash the production and consumption of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances.

Together, we have succeeded in putting the stratospheric ozone layer on the road to recovery by the middle of this century. As a result, up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year, along with even more avoided cases of eye cataracts.

As we look forward to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the effort by governments later this year in Paris to forge a new, collective path forward on climate change, the Montreal Protocol’s success should inspire us. It shows what we are capable of when nations act together on a global challenge.

But the work of the Montreal Protocol is not yet done. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been used as replacements for many ozone-depleting substances. While they do not deplete the ozone layer, they are extremely potent greenhouse gases and will contribute a great deal of warming to our already overheated planet in the coming decades unless we act now.

Many countries are now considering using the Montreal Protocol regime to phase down HFCs. A political commitment to managing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol could be one of the biggest climate change wins in the lead-up to the Paris climate conference. It will also be another strong victory for multilateral efforts to safeguard our environment. On this International Day, let us ensure that we protect our climate the way we have preserved the ozone layer.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon:

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.

The phaseout 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.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, an important milestone in the protection of the ozone layer. The theme for the celebration of the anniversary and this year’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to be marked on 16 September is, “30 years of healing the ozone together.” The theme is supported by the slogan, “Ozone: All there is between you and UV.”

Top Comments

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  • Bisley

    The hoax that fathered the global-warming hoax. Improbable and unproven theories pushed by politicians, certified by hacks paid in government grants, and force-fed to the public by a leftist dominated news industry. I'd like to see this revisited by group of competent and skeptical atmospheric scientists and chemists -- it's not possible to say it's all absolute nonsense, but it has never been proven to be anything else.

    Sep 16th, 2015 - 03:52 pm 0
  • DennisA

    ”Our use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) had torn a hole in the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.“

    There was never a hole in the ozone layer, there is a thinning over Antarctica every year and it reforms again. How many people live in Antarctica? Certainly not 2 million.

    ”As a result of the ozone campaign, up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year, along with even more avoided cases of eye cataracts.“

    For some background on this check out:
    ”Another Day Another Dollar – CFC’s And The UN”
    http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/originals/another_day_another_dollar.html

    Sep 16th, 2015 - 05:11 pm 0
  • Conqueror

    @1. I understand your thoughts and feelings. The problem is “What constitutes proof”? I note that the so-called “proof”, by the reduction of the Arctic ice-pack, then saw the ice-pack grow larger the next year. Then there was the revelation that the computer model being used was faulty.

    The hurtful thing is that governments demand increased taxes to pay for the “research”. How does it get corrected? Oh, that costs money as well. Surprise! What I'd like to see is total accountability. Let's see every company and government agency account for every penny. Who will benefit from corrective action, assuming we can correct a planet? Then there's no justification for anyone to make a profit.

    Sep 16th, 2015 - 05:18 pm 0
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