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International Ozone Day 2012
International Ozone Day 2012 on 16th September is celebrated every year as
the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer and commemorates the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed on 16th September, 1987 to
protect the Ozone Layer. Since 1995, 16th September is celebrated every year as
the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer and commemorates the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol.
"Montreal protocol is the most successful protocol in the world today to save
ozone. India has played a very constructive role in it. The Montreal
Protocol has received universal ratification which brings together the whole international community to protect the ozone layer. India
achieved the goal to stop the use of Chloro fluoro carbons before 17 months of our commitments".
Environment is not a lifestyle in our country but it is a matter of
livelihood. When we save our mountains, rivers and forests, it is not
obligation on anybody, but it is important for our daily life because
crores of people in our country are dependent on forests. Our rivers are associated with our culture and
only in our country Gods and Goddesses are associated with animals and we worship them.
Lord Mahavira , Lord Buddha
, Mahtma Gandhi , King Ashoka
all gave message of Ahimsa - not to kill any creature. They appealed for universal protection, not only of man
but also of all living beings. Environment is associated with our culture and it is way of our lives.
The hole in the ozone layer
The United Nations reported on September 14, 2012 that the hole in the ozone layer is expected to be smaller this year over the
Antarctic than last year. They claim this illustrates how a ban on harmful substances has slowed ozone depletion
The ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere contains relatively high concentrations of ozone
(03). This layer is found mainly in the lower portion of the stratosphere and absorbs 97 – 99% of the Sun’s medium frequency
ultraviolet light, which potentially damages exposed life forms on Earth.
In the early 1980s, using a combination of ground-based and satellite
measurements, scientists began to realize that Earth’s natural sunscreen
was thinning dramatically over the South Pole each spring.
Ozone
Layer affect the biodiversity and agricultural production
NASA has discovered vast holes in the ozone layer over Antarctica and
the Arctic and this will also have its effect in India. Reddy said,
“During the rotation of the earth there occurs planetary change and this
ozone hole, when faces the peninsula India will have a serious impact
especially on Southern India, compared to other parts of the country.
The ultra violet radiation thus released can cause skin cancer and will
also affect the biodiversity and agricultural production.” “The ban of obsolete technology emitting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
should strongly be implemented in India. The CFCs when released into the
atmosphere goes to the stratosphere and remains there for decades. Especially items like air conditioners and refrigerators which uses
chlorine should be used wisely,” he added.
Depletion of the ozone layer will be a major problem in the long run.
Burning of carbon, pollutants, especially CFCs emitted from air conditioners, refrigerators, burning of fossil fuel are major
contributors.
Ozone exposure could trigger heart attacks
Pollutants from vehicles, power plants, industry, chemical solvents and
consumer products create ground level ozone by reacting in the presence
of sunlight. Recent studies have linked acute exposure to ozone and death but little is known about the underlying pathways responsible, the
journal Circulation reports on June 26, 2012.
Young, healthy adult volunteers exposed for two hours to
ozone developed physiological changes tied to cardiovascular damage.
They showed evidence of vascular inflammation, a potential reduced ability to dissolve
artery- blocking blood clots, and changes in the autonomic nervous system that controls the heart`s rhythm. The changes
were temporary and reversible in these participants.
"This study provides a plausible explanation for the link between acute
ozone exposure and death," said Robert B. Devlin, senior scientist at
the US Environmental Protection Agency`s (EPA) National Health and Environmental Effects Research Lab, who led the study, according to an
EPA statement. Study participants underwent two controlled exposures - one to clean air
and one to ozone-polluted air - at least two weeks apart. During each
exposure, participants alternated 15-minute periods of stationary cycling and rest.
None of the participants reported complaints or physical symptoms after
inhaling clean air or ozone. However, immediately following and the morning after ozone
inhalation, tests showed significant ozone-induced vascular changes compared to clear-air exposure.
The World Health Organization estimates two million people worldwide,
mostly elderly people with cardiovascular disease, die because of acute
exposure to air pollution. The EPA puts the yearly U.S. toll at 40,000-50,000 deaths.
International Ozone Day 2011
The global theme for Ozone Day 2011
is ‘HCFC Phase-out: a Unique Opportunity’. With the Montreal Protocol, the entire globe agreed to
accelerate the phase-out of production and consumption of hydro chlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs), but still countries like India has failed to take serious step towards its implementation, says noted
environmentalist Yellapa Reddy. |
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International Ozone Day 2010
In International Ozone Day 2010 in India a number of competitions were organized for school children to mark this
occasion. These include poster Competition, painting Competition, quiz
on Ozone Science, skit competition, Model Making Competition and slogan writing competition.` Prizes to the winners of these competitions were presented today.Posters, stickers and the 12th edition of the
"The Montreal Protocol: India's Success Story" which contains relevant aspects of India's
commitment to the Protocol were also released on this occasion.
The National Awards for Prevention of Pollution and Rajiv Gandhi
Environment Award for Clean Technology for the year 2008 and 2009 as
well as Maidini Puraskar for the year 2009 to the recipients for their
contributions for the protection of environment were also presented.
M/s Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Dahanu Thermal Power Station,
Dahanu, Maharashtra bagged the Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean
Technology for the year 2008-2009. The Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award
for Clean Technology comprises a Cash Award of Rupees one lakh in
addition to a Silver Trophy and a Citation. The Rajiv Gandhi Environment
Award for Clean Technology was instituted in 1993 and is conferred to
one of the best among 23categories of highly polluting industries,
particularly from the angle of adoption of the clean technology.
The National Awards for Prevention of Pollution was instituted in 1992
to encourage industries and operations to take significant steps for
prevention of pollution. These awards are given, one in each of the
identified 23 (18 large scale and 5 small scale) categories of highly
polluting industries, of which make a significant and measurable
contribution towards development or use of clean technologies, products
or practices that prevent pollution and find innovative technologies,
products or practices that prevent pollution and find innovative
solution to environmental problems. National Awards for Prevention of
Pollution for the year 2008-2009 were given to seven industries in
different categories of highly polluting industries. They are M/s Indian
Rayon, Veraval, Gujarat (Caustic Soda), M/s Binani Cement Limited,
Sirohi, Rajasthan (Cement), M/s Indina Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative
Ltd. (IFFCO),Phulpur Unit, M/s Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Bongaigaon Refinery), Assam (Oil
Refinary), M/s Reliance Industries Ltd., Dahej, Bharuch, Gujarat (Petrochemical), M/s BILT Graphic Paper
Products Ltd., Pune, Maharashtra (Pulp & Paper) and M/s Binani Zinc Ltd., Karala (Zinc Smelting).
To promote original Hindi books writing on Environment and related
subjects like forests, wild life, pollution and water resources , the
Ministry of Environment and Forests have introduced a scheme for awards
to Indian authors of original works in Hindi. The detailed subjects are
Forest Resources and Development, Forestry, Conservation of Nature and
Biosphere Reserve, Wildlife, Pollution control, Ganga Project,
Environmental Impact Assessment, Ecological Regeneration and
Development, Research promotion and Environmental Education.
Shri Naveen Kumar Gupta was awarded first prize for his book Global
Warmingka Samadhan Gandhigiri and won Rs. 31,000/-and Citation. The
second prize was awarded to two persons, Dr. Gaytari Parshad and Dr.
Rajesh Nautiyal for their title Paryavaran Bhoogol. They won Rs.
25,000/- and Citation. Shri Rajendar Joshi won the third prize for his
book Prakriti, Paryavaran aur Bajarvad and got Rs. 20,000/- and
Citation. A consolation prize was given to Dr C L Garg for his book
Swachcha Paryavaran, Swastha Jivan. Dr. C.L.Garg received Rs. 15000/- and a Citation.
Medini Puraskar Yojana was instituted in 1987. The books are invited
from Indian authors every year and the books which are adjudged as best are given cash awards. |
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