International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer

“As we rightly focus our energies on tackling climate change, we must be careful not to neglect the ozone layer and stay alert to the threat posed by the illegal use of ozone-depleting gases.” — UN Secretary-General, António Guterres

Concern about the hole in the ozone layer was in many ways a precursor to contemporary concern about climate change. The ozone layer is a shield of gas that protects the earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun. While it is less common now to hear about the ozone layer, as the United Nations explain “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.” Find out more about protecting the ozone layer here.