The World Ozone Day observation, which was organised by the department of Environment Science in association with DM College of Science and Women and Environment Studies Cell, DM College of Arts was observed on the theme of ‘Global Cooperation Protecting Life on Earth’ on Friday.
It was organised under the sponsorship of Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur in collaboration with the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, government of Manipur.
On the occasion, joint director of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, government of Manipur T Brajakumar said that the day is globally observed under guidance of the United Nations.
Earth is the only planet where human beings live and they depend their survival on the environment, he said. “We are not trying to build another earth but we are trying to keep the earth alive,” said Brajakumar. If there are unwanted changes, then it will be very difficult to live on the earth, he said.
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“We should change our lifestyle to control ozone layer depletion,” he said. Human beings in the name of development are using lots of chemicals and other things that support depletion, he said.
In 2000, the government of India identified substances that support depletion and started banning them, though controlling the use of the substances will not bring down greenhouse gases. In the state of Manipur those identified substances are still used. It is not the contribution of one state or one country but for all, he added.
Brajakumar also mentioned about the deficit in rainfall, the shift witnessed in monsoon rain in the state, stating that they are all signs of climate change.
It is a matter of how to cope up with changes and the impact of depletion of the ozone layer, he said. The resilience and adaptive capacity needs to be enhanced, he said.
Head of Department of Environment Science of DM College of Science, KK Mani Bhushan also briefed about world ozone day, mentioning that September 16 of each year is observed as World Ozone Day, and also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
World Ozone Day is celebrated to draw attention to one of the biggest threats that humanity faces, the depletion of the ozone layer, and the dangers of ozone depletion, he said. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the ozone layer, he added.
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In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114), he said.
According to the UN, there are a number of commonly used chemicals that have been found to be extremely damaging to the ozone layer. Halocarbon chemicals (Carbon linked with Halogens- Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine etc) especially those containing Bromine have high ozone-depleting potential. Methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and families of chemicals known as halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) also cause the depletion of the ozone layer, he added.
The day was attended by Dhanamanjuri University vice-chancellor, N Rajmuhan; principal of DM College of Arts, Ch Sheelaramani; principal of DM College of Science, M Bhubaneshwari.
