International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

The earth's ozone layer plays an important role in protecting human health and the environment. ©iStockphoto.com/Stephen Strathdee

What do people do?

On this day primary and secondary school educators throughout the world organize classroom activities that focus on topics related to the ozone layer, climate change and ozone depletion. Some teachers use educational packages from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that have been specifically tailored to address topics about the earth's ozone layer. Prior to the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer in 2008, Thailand's top international recording artist Tata Young launched the cartoon booklet “Ozzy Goes Island Hopping” in Bangkok, Thailand on July 7, 2008. The character “Ozzy” is featured in various UNEP promotional materials for the day.

Other activities that are organized by different community groups, individuals, schools and local organizations across the world include: the promotion of ozone friendly products; special programs and events on saving the ozone layer; the distribution of the UNEP's public awareness posters to be used for events centered on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer; and the distribution of awards to those who worked hard to protect the earth's ozone layer.

Public Life

The UN's International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is not a public holiday so public life is not affected.

Background

In 1987 representatives from 24 countries met in Montreal and announced to the world that it was time to stop destroying the ozone layer. In so doing, these countries committed themselves, via the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, to rid the world of substances that threaten the ozone layer.

On December 19, 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 16 to be the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. The day was first celebrated on September 16, 1995.

Symbols

Many promotional items used for the day feature images of the sun, sky, or earth's natural environment to represent the ozone's importance in protecting the environment. Selected winning paintings from the 1998 Children’s Painting Competition, which was part of UNEP’s public awareness campaign at the time, have since been reproduced on posters, calendars, publications, and other material. Other awareness raising materials used from some of the selected paintings include postcards and bookmarks. These materials are used to promote action worldwide. Colorful UNEP posters with the words “Save Our Sky” are also used for the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer Observances

Other calendars

• Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
• Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
• Custom calendar - make customized calendars

Related links

• Moon Phase Calculator
• Find duration between two dates
• Add a number of days to a given date
• Find when you are 20000 days old - and other useless facts
• Countdown to New Year