Introduction – World Ozone Day is celebrated on September 16 every year all over the world to raise awareness about the importance of the ozone layer in our life. The most important event associated with World Ozone Day is the Montreal Protocol that was held in the year 1987 and was a huge collaboration of more than 24 members countries of the United Nations. These countries signed and pledged for protecting the ozone layer by reducing the use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The CFCs are responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. The main purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the importance and protection of the ozone layer.

The ozone layer is situated at the stratosphere layer of the earth. The main benefit of the ozone layer is to absorb the ultra-violet radiations coming from the sun and is harmful to the skin of the body. The ozone layer absorbs around 97 to 99 percent of ultraviolet light that comes from the sun otherwise ultraviolet light causes serious diseases such as skin cancer in human beings and also damages crop plants.

History – Firstly, World Ozone Day is observed on September 16, 1995, globally. The United Nations General Assembly designated this special day on January 23, 1995, that adopted the resolution 49/ 114 honoring the date on which Montreal Protocol was signed in the year 1987.  Initially, the United Nations General Assembly observed World Ozone Day is to spread awareness about the protection of the ozone layer worldwide. This day is also celebrated due to the increased depletion of the ozone layer.

Theme – The theme of World Ozone Day in the year 2021 is ‘’Montreal Protocol – keeping us, our food and vaccines cool’’.

Significance – World Ozone Day provides an opportunity for concentrating global action and attention on this issue. This day aims is to save or protect the ozone layer by taking several steps to control the consumption of those substances that causes the depletion of the ozone layer.  If the ozone layer of the atmosphere is removed then harmful ultra-violet radiations coming from the sun will reach the earth and causes serious diseases such as skin cancer in human beings. The ultra-violet rays will also harm the crop plants.