P. A. Chacko SJ
More than humanity’s survival, planet Earth’s preservation has to be taken note of. Our Planet earth is under threat because of the depletion of the ozone layer.
The ozone layer is a fragile layer of gas which protects the Earth from the harmful solar radiation, including ultra-violet rays. It helps preserve life on our planet.
Ozone layer is also called ozonosphere. It is the region of the upper atmosphere at a distance of 15 to 35 km above the Earth’s surface. It contains relatively high concentrations of ozone molecules (O3).
We complain that the Earth is getting heated up more and more. We grumble and scream. But, do we ever realise that it is our man-made causes that harm the ozone layer? The gas and chemicals we produce in our factories, our institutions, our waste dumps, our experimental labs, and our smoking chimneys affect the ozone layer, thinning it or creating holes in it. It results in letting the ultra-violet rays to reach us causing cancer and other diseases.
Scientists and serious world leaders are concerned about the danger. The Vienna Convention of 1985 and the Montreal Protocol of 1987 took serious note of the harmful substances that deplete the ozone layer and called on the world bodies to help reduce emissions of harmful substances in the atmosphere.
In 1994 the U N Assembly declared Sept. 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer.
We are called upon to develop a scientific temper in understanding the ozone layer and the harm done to it. And to take individual and global pro-active steps to preserve this layer that promotes our life and protects our planet.
(@ATCC Bhognadih)