The small blue, green planet that we call our home is a very special and unique place. We live on the only planet in our solar system and possibly in the galaxy where life is known to exist. All life exists within thin film of air, water, and soil about 15 km deep. This spherical shell of life is known as the biosphere. The biosphere can be divided into three layers; the atmosphere(air), the hydrosphere (water), and the lithosphere (rock and soil) . It is the unique attributes of the Earth?s atmosphere that allow it to be a habitable place for humans, animals, microbes and plants as we know them. Out of the many layers occupying the atmosphere, a very special layer is the ozone layer. But in the recent years, it's not only been hitting the harmful UV rays of the sun, but it's also been hitting the headlines due to its rapidly thinning size, apparently a cause severe agony for the globe.

PRELUDE:

Almost four decades ago, scientists had cautioned the world about a hole in the layer of ozone surrounding the earth that could inflict potentially damaging ramifications on the health of both humans and the environment. But thanks to a global agreement to stop the use of ozone-depleting chemicals that damage the ozone layer, this problem is on the verge of closure now.

WHAT IS OZONE ? HOW DID ITS DEPLETION START ?

Ozone is a form of oxygen. Oxygen occurs in three different forms in the atmosphere; as oxygen atoms (O), as oxygen molecules (O2) and as zone(O3). The ozone layer sits in the stratosphere between 15 km and 30 km above the earth.

Ozone?s unique physical properties allow the ozone layer to act as our planet?s sunscreen, providing an invisible filter to help protect all life forms from the sun?s damaging UV (ultraviolet) rays. Without the protective effect of ozone, life on Earth would not have evolved the way it has. It absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UV-B), limiting the amount of this radiation that reaches the surface of the Earth. Because this radiation causes skin cancer and cataracts, the ozone layer plays an important role in protecting human health. It also prevents radiation damage to plants, animals, and materials.

In the 1970s, scientists noticed that the ozone layer was thinning. Researchers found evidence that linked the depletion of the ozone layer to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogen-source gases in the stratosphere. Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are synthetic chemicals, which were used around the world in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. The main uses of these substances were in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and in fire extinguishers. Other important uses included aerosol propellants, solvents and blowing agents for insulation foams. The threat to the ozone layer posed by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other man-made chemicals became ?glaringly? apparent to the general public in the 1980s, when scientists from the British Antarctic Survey reported an alarming thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica in spring that became known as the ?ozone hole?. In 1987, only two years after this discovery was reported in the scientific literature, the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer was signed. The agreement came into force in 1989, and the regulations have been tightened in several amendments to the original protocol since then.

WHY IS SEPTEMBER 16 SIGNIFICANT ?

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. The closure of the hole in the ozone layer was observed 30 years after the protocol was signed.

WHAT HAS INDIA DONE TO CURB OZONE DEPLETION ?

India signed and ratified the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1991 and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1992, signalling the country?s commitments to the global cause of addressing the harmful effects of the ozone layer depletion.

India figures prominently among the nations that are continuously and consistently making efforts to protect the ozone layer. In recognition of its efforts, it has been re-elected to the executive committee of the multilateral fund for the world programme to protect the ozone cover, an annual report of the Indian environment ministry had quoted.

The same report also stated that several workshops have been held for small and medium sized enterprises to disseminate information on ODS phase out, adding full exemption from payment of customs and excise duties on goods required to implement ODS phase-out projects were also provided to enterprises.

Financial institutions have drawn a policy not to finance or refinance new investments carrying ODS technologies.

India has enacted comprehensive regulations to control usage of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in industries to avoid shrinking of the layer, present about 20 km above the earth's surface.

Unchecked radiation can harm health and ecology. Seepage of toxic radiation can cause skin cancer, eye damage, suppress bodys immune system, decrease crop yield besides affecting ocean life.

The Indian Government's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has an exclusive ?Ozone Cell? dedicated to the task of researching mitigation strategies to cut down the damages inflicted to the Ozone Layer. The Ministry has set up an Ozone Cell as a National Ozone Unit (NOU) to render necessary services for effective and timely implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its ODS phase-out program in India.

India produces and exports millions of metered dose inhalers each year, providing relief to countless people suffering from asthma. With UNDP support, manufacturers of metered dose inhalers have completely transitioned to ozone-friendly and affordable alternatives, demonstrating the potential for environment-friendly public health management in the country. The country is now focusing attention on phasing out such chemicals in foam, refrigeration and halon sector. As a next step, UNDP is supporting the Government of India in phasing out (HCFCs) by 2030, as part of the country?s commitment to the Montreal Protocol.

Since 1993, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has played a crucial role in the phase- out of ozone depleting substances by the Government of India and has been instrumental in implementing US$ 40 million in multilateral fund projects. As a result of support, India completely phased out production and consumption of Chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride and halons, man-made chemicals responsible for the depletion of the Ozone Layer. This remarkable milestone was achieved two years ahead of schedule. With this achievement, India has contributed significantly to this global environmental cause, by reducing 25,000 ozone depleting particles tonnes and a further potential of 23,000 ozone depleting particles.

THE WAY FORWARD

As the Earth's protective ozone layer is on track to recovery in the next few decades, India and many nations from across the globe have joined hands with International Environment Agencies to work towards replenishing the Ozone Layer. Let's keep our fingers crossed and stop not until we see a fuller ozone layer !

Happy 16th of September ! May the world be blessed with more ozone sooner than the soonest !