EPA, UNDP raise awareness on ozone layer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme {UNDP} in Ghana, has launched an initiative to increase awareness about the ozone layer.The initiative aims to involve community members, institutions, and students at all educational levels in understanding the importance of the ozone layer and the challenges associated with its depletion.A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency in observance of World Ozone Day, said the goal as to raise awareness and promote action to protect that vital component of the atmosphere.This year's celebration dubbed 'Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action' highlights the critical role the protocol plays towards guiding actions to avoid global warming and recovery.The ozone layer protects the Earth and living organisms from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. When depleted, it can lead to serious health risks, as well as adverse effects on the environment and ecosystems.According to the Scienti fic Assessment Panel, the ozone layer is expected to return to 1980 levels by 2066 over the Antarctic, showcasing the power of international cooperation and environmental treaties in addressing global challenges.The statement said part the initiative would include an outreach focused on selected schools and institutions in the Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Western Regions of Ghana.It said the initiative was one of the many actions Ghana continued to employ to fulfil its international obligation towards contributing to the recovery of the ozone layer.Ghana's ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2019 underscores the nation's dedication to environmental sustainability.The amendment seeks to reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases that replaced ozone depleting substances in the cooling industry and enhancing the energy efficiency of appliances.If fully ratified and implemented, the Kigali Amendment could help avoid as much as 0.5 degrees Celsius of global heating by the end of this century.Yet, a range of climate solutions, including those related to refrigerants and energy efficiency, are also needed to avert a climate crisis by mid-century.The Montreal Protocol, established in 1987, has significantly reduced ozone-depleting substances, leading to the recovery of the ozone layer.Source: Ghana News Agency