International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

September 2022

At Russell Bedford, we are dedicated to equip and empower our people so that they, and their clients, go further to a better future. Therefore, we strongly believe it is essential for companies to adopt policies that promote the well-being of society and the environment while lessening negative impacts on them. Today, on International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, we celebrate by raising awareness and learning more about the Ozone Layer, its history, importance and how to protect it.

What is the Ozone Layer?

Ozone is a an odourless gas made up of three oxygen atoms, often referenced as O3. It is formed when heat and sunlight cause chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and Volatile Organic Compounds, which are also known as Hydrocarbons. This reaction can occur both near the ground and high in the atmosphere. Ozone is mainly found in Earth’s stratosphere where it forms a protective layer that absorbs ultraviolet light from the sun.

History

In 1985, an extreme depletion of ozone over Antarctica was discovered, the so-called Antarctic Ozone hole. Research quickly discovered that this thinning of the ozone layer was caused by man-made chemicals called CFCs, often used in aerosol cans and cooling devices such as fridges.

This resulted in the adoption of the Montreal Protocol on the 16th of September, 1987 to help solve the global depletion of ozone by stopping the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances at the current rates. Although this and subsequent actions have now effectively banned CFC production and put the ozone layer on a path to recovery, long-lived CFCs in the atmosphere continue to effect ozone levels to this day. Therefore, researchers continue to monitor the ozone layer to ensure it continues to heal and no new chemicals are adding to its depletion. 

The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was started by the United Nations General Assembly in 1995, and observed on the 16th of September, to raise awareness and allow for solutions to promote a healthier vision for Earth every year. The day is usually celebrated by learning and spreading awareness about the Ozone Layer.

Importance 

The Ozone Layer serves a great purpose for the Earth, but some of its key importance is:

• Without the ozone layer, complex life on Earth would not exist.
• The Ozone Layer protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.
• Plants cannot live and grow in heavy ultraviolet radiation, nor can the planktons that serve as food for most of the ocean life.
• With a thinning Ozone Layer, humans are more susceptible to skin cancer, cataracts and impaired immune systems.

How to help protect the Ozone Layer?

There are many ways in which each one of us as individuals can do to protect the ozone layer. Some include:

• Minimise the use of vehicles - walking, cycling or carpooling are much more eco-friendly alternatives.
• Avoid using chemical cleaning products - they are harmful not only to the environment, but to humans, too. Try bio alternatives such as vinegar or bicarbonate. 
• Buy local products - you get fresher products which have not travelled long enough to produce big quantities of the harmful nitrous oxide.
• Avoid the consumption of dangerous gases - some of the most dangerous gases are CFCs, halogenated hydrocarbon, methyl bromide and nitrous oxide.
• Maintain air conditioners - their malfunctions cause CFC to escape into the atmosphere.
  

At Russell Bedford, we are guided by our commitment to help local and global communities thrive. We have a real focus to take part in social impact initiatives and to promote such causes, which further mobilises us to create meaningful value in everything we do as a network. Our approach combines collective efforts, resources and talents across our member firms which further enables us to bring our people from around the world even closer together in a common cause to make important and positive change.