Today is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer is a layer of gas that protects the Earth from harmful radiation from the Sun by absorbing up to 98% of all harmful ultraviolet rays. The ozone also regulates the temperature of the Earth, keeping our planet from overheating or freezing. It wasn’t until the late 1970s when scientists discovered that human activity was contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer. A hole in the ozone layer was caused by ozone-depleting gases, found in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers. This depletion has caused, for example, the destruction of ecosystems, and increased the risk of skin cancer in humans.
In 1994, the United Nations declared 16th September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer and since then, countries all over the world have been trying to eliminate 99% of all ozone-depleting substances. If all goes according to plan, the Earth could restore the ozone layer to its 1980s level by 2050. We can achieve this by getting our electronic appliances serviced routinely, discarding old appliances that could be emitting ozone-depleting gases, swapping unnecessary vehicle use with walks and bicycles and sharing lifts with co-workers and friends.
Information from <https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-for-the-preservation-of-the-ozone-layer/>
