Ozone month

CEBU, Philippines - September 16 of every year is observed as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Recently, the observance takes month-long.

This is because the efforts to stop making and using ozone-destroying chemicals are already paying off. In 1987, leaders of many countries gathered in Montreal, Canada and signed up an agreement to reduce their use of harmful chemicals. So, nature has healed itself slowly. Nature has repaired the ozone layer.

But how important exactly is the ozone layer that we have to take a month-long observance to raise awareness about it?

According to SunWise Kids, the ozone layer forms a thin shield high up in the sky. It protects life on Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

If you complain about the burning heat of the sun even as early as 8 a.m. yet, imagine how hot the world would be if the entire ozone layer is reduced by ozone-eating chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons.

Too much exposure to UV rays can cause health problems like skin cancer and eye damage. (FREEMAN)