International Ozone Day Today
Pledge to stop use of ozone depleting substances
Bangladesh along with other member states of the ozone protection regime would observe International Ozone Day today with renewed pledge to stop using Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in the country.
This year, the International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer highlights the central role of good governance in pursuit of environmental goals. This includes successful environmental agreements requiring a broad framework, clear targets and a gradual approach to implementation.
As a signatory of Montreal Protocol, a global deal to phase out ODS, Bangladesh along with other developing countries can not import and use of any kind of ODS gases of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) group after December 2009 except for essential uses.
Ministry of Environment and Forest and it's technical arm Department of Environment (DOE) will observe the day with various programmes including rally, discussion, competition for students and massive awareness campaign on ozone layer protection.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels will broadcast special programmes and newspapers will publish special supplements and articles highlighting the significance of the day.
The theme of the day is “Ozone layer protection: governance and compliance” as declared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, urged all to be careful about protecting the ozone layer by reducing the use of ODS gases.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in his message, expressed his happiness that the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, which achieved universal ratification last year, is an excellent example of this process.
He pointed out that when the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987, governments did not originally envision the phase out of any ozone depleting substance.
Yet, as a result of strong national and global compliance, parties to the protocol have cut production and consumption of these harmful chemicals by more than 98 percent, he added.
He added that as chemicals depleting the ozone are also greenhouse gases, the protocol is instrumental in the fight against climate change.
It has already averted greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide and will continue to play an important role.
Marking the day, State Minister for Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud is scheduled to lead a rally from TSC at Dhaka University at 7:30am. It will end at National Press Club where a seminar on the theme of the day will also be held at 9:00am.
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