Some stakeholders in Benin City have advocated for more measures to enhance the preservation of the Ozone layer.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer simply called Ozone Day is celebrated on September 16 annually.
It was designed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 19, 2000, in commemoration of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Although, the closure of the hole in the ozone layer was observed thirty years after the protocol was signed and due to the nature of the gases responsible for ozone depletion their chemical effects are expected to continue for between fifty and and hundred years.
Commenting on the day, Controller ,Federal Ministry of Environment, Edo State Field office,Mrs Victoria Ikhianosime applauded the United Nations for establishing the Day.
Mrs Ikhianosime said the day raises awearness on the importance of protecting the ozone layer that shades the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
She advises Nigerians not to use products that contain ozone layer depleting substances.
” let us reduced the use of products that contain Ozone depleting substances , let us support environmentally friendly practices and educate others about protecting the atmosphere, let us make choices that help keep our environment healthy. She said.”
Executive, Director, Save The Ozone, Nigeria, Mr Ozaveshe Balogun, explained that although some chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that were responsible for Ozone layer depletion have been phased away, attention is now drawn on addressing climate change and Global warming.
Mr Balogun stressed that there was need for Nigerians to avoid using equipments that makes uses of fossil fuels that enhance global warming.
“we no longer have chemicals that are actually threatening the Ozone Layer, the problem we are now having is that those chemicals that replace Ozone depleting substances have been found to contribute to global warming, that’s why the world is now focusing on phasing down on all those chemicals again. So for individual, buy ozone friendly equipments that is not running on chemicals that will further increase the temperature of the universe.
For example,if you on generator, you are running fossil fuel but you can go for solar, solar does not interfare with the environment. ” He said.
Some residents, Mr Ofure Osehobo and Mr Friday Otabor explained that the high rate of destruction of the forests and bush burning are factors that can contribute to Ozone layer depletion and global warming and appealed to Nigerians to stop the act
They further called on government and relevant stakeholders to make Cooking gas affordable for Nigerians to avoid the use of firewoods that has affected the environment negatively.
“In the rural areas of the country, people still fall trees to make fireword.People should desist from destroying the vegetation. Cooking gas prices should be brought down, so that more People can afford it. They said “.
The theme for the 2026 Ozone Day is “Global action for a cooler planet – Celebrating 10 years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.” with focus on Sustainable cooling, climate-friendly refrigerants, and marking ten years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment in 2016