INTRODUCTION

Ozone layer depletion, is simply the wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the
stratosphere. Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, Ozone depletion has been
pinned down to one major human activity. ... Depletion begins when CFC's get into the
stratosphere.

BODY PART
Ozone is a gas in the lower level of stratosphere. It is a kind of super-charged oxygen (O3). It
makes a layer in the atmosphere which acts as a cover to the Earth against ultraviolet radiation of
the Sun. The canopy of ozone layer is with variable extent less dense near the surface of the
Earth compared to the height of 30 km.
Some pollutants in the atmosphere like chlorofluoro-carbons (CH3) cause the depletion of ozone
layer. ThesE CFCs and other similar gases when reach to the stratosphere they are broken down
by the ultraviolet radiation and as a result they liberate free atoms of chlorine or bromine. These
atoms are highly reactive with ozone and disrupt the stratospheric chemistry. The reactions
deplete ozone layer.

Due to depletion of ozone layer, the Earth is exposed to the ultra-violate radiation. These rays
cause harmful effect to living beings on the Earth. It affects process of photosynthesis in plants.
Rise in the temperature, various skin diseases, decrease of immunity etc are the probable results.

For the protection of ozone layer, Vienna Conference in March, 1985 was held. In September
1987, Montreal Protocol was signed. This was followed by the Kyoto Protocol of 1997.

The Montreal Protocol plans to phase out the use of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances.
It called for the cessation of CFC production by 1996. The treaty was opened for signature on
September 16, 1987, and entered into force on January 1, 1989, followed by a first meeting in
Helsinki, May 1989.

ADVERTISEMENTS:
 Since then, it has undergone seven revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992
(Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing). It is
believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover
by 2050. Under this protocol a global fund is established to aid those developing nations who
cannot afford technological costs for alternative chemicals.

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC or FCCC), aimed at fighting global warming. The Protocol was initially
adopted on 11 December, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on 16 February, 2005. As
on September 2011, 191 states have signed and ratified the protocol.

Under the Protocol, 37 countries commit themselves to a reduction of four Green House Gases
(GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride) and two groups of gases
(hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) produced by them, and all member countries give
general commitments.

Apart from these International ramifications, various conferences and programmes are also held
all over the world regularly to protect the ozone layer. September 16 is declared as the
International Day for preservation of ozone by the Montreal Protocol (1987)

CONCLUSION:

In the above context though there are many efforts made by the evniromental experts at
international level as a youngster we have to take the following in protecting ozone layer and
our environment

While the vast majority of ODS usage is either industrial or commercial, individuals can help in
the following ways:

Buy air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs

(hydrochlorofluorocarbons) as refrigerant.
Buy aerosol products that do not use HCFCs or CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) as propellants.
Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances to
prevent and minimize refrigerant leakage.
 For existing air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances that operate on HCFCs or CFCs, the
refrigerant should be recovered or recycled whenever an overhaul of equipment is to be carried
out. Replacing or retrofitting such equipment to operate on non-HCFCs refrigerant should also
be considered.
When motor vehicle air-conditioners need servicing, make sure that the refrigerants are properly
recovered and recycled instead of being vented to the atmosphere.