The United Nations has declared each 16 September to be commemorated as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

Ozone is a gas in the atmosphere that protects earth from ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Since plants on earth and in the seas, as well as other living things, cannot survive with heavy UV radiation, the ozone layer is a vital part of the continued existence of life on earth. The Thammasat University Library owns a number of books about the ozone layer.

The Commonwealth of Australia Department of the Environment and Energy website explains:

• What is ozone?

Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule. An ozone molecule is made up of three oxygen atoms. It has the chemical formula O3.

• What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere around 15–30km above the earth’s surface. It covers the entire planet and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun.

• Why is UV-B radiation bad?

Prolonged exposure to UV-B radiation is linked to skin cancer, genetic damage and immune system suppression in humans and animals, and lower yielding agricultural crops.

• What is the ozone hole?

Chemicals containing chlorine and bromine atoms are released to the atmosphere through human activities. These chemicals combine with certain weather conditions to cause reactions in the ozone layer, leading to ozone molecules being destroyed. Depletion of the ozone layer occurs globally, however, the severe depletion of the ozone layer over the Antarctic is often referred to as the ‘ozone hole’. Increased depletion has recently started occurring over the Arctic as well…

• Will things improve?

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer came into effect in 1987. It sets binding obligations for countries to phase out production of all the major ozone depleting substances. Data shows that stratospheric concentrations of ozone depleting substances are declining. As a result of international action, the ozone layer is expected to recover to pre-1980 levels over the mid-latitudes by 2050 and over the polar regions by 2065.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion, has been revised repeatedly, including in Bangkok in 1993. Due to international cooperation, by one estimate, The Montreal Protocol has led to the phasing out of 99 percent of ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air-conditioners and other products. As a result, parts of the ozone layer have recovered at a rate of 1-3% per decade since 2000. As an example of mutual international cooperation, the ozone layer campaign has been encouraging. Its importance was pointed out early on by such popular authors as the scientist and novelist Issac Asimov, who commented:

• Increasingly, our leaders must deal with dangers that threaten the entire world, where an understanding of those dangers and the possible solutions depends on a good grasp of science. The ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, questions of diet and heredity. All require scientific literacy. Can Americans choose the proper leaders and support the proper programs if they themselves are scientifically illiterate? The whole premise of democracy is that it is safe to leave important questions to the court of public opinion—but is it safe to leave them to the court of public ignorance?

Isaac Asimov, “Scientific Literacy”, Los Angeles Times, (31 Mar 1989)

The TU Library owns a number of books by and about Isaac Asimov.

Thailand and ozone innovation

In February, as part of Thailand’s national efforts to sustainably phase out harmful ozone depleting gases, the World Bank, with the Department of Industrial Works, Chulalongkorn University, and Government Savings Bank launched an Ozone, OurZone campaign.

Among activities was a hackathon, or event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development, including graphic designers, interface designers, project managers, and others, collaborate on software projects to solicit new ideas and approaches to protect the ozone layer in Thailand.

Attendees were reminded that Thailand pioneered as the first developing country to ban the manufacturing and import of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerators. Considered harmful to the ozone layer, in 1997. Thailand was also the first developing country to convert air-conditioners from using Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), also damaging the ozone layer, to new technology in 2017. The Kingdom plans to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol which specifies targets and timetables for replacing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with better substances.

In July, the 41st Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 41) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was held in Bangkok. Over 450 participants from governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry attended. The next scheduled meeting will be in Rome, Italy, in November.

International support

In November 2014, Thailand signed a grant agreement with the World Bank Group to help make Thai air conditioning and foam products more climate friendly. As the press release announced:

The funds will help local manufacturers convert their production processes to make air conditioning and foam products that destroy less ozone, in line with international good practice. Thailand is the second-largest producer of air conditioners and foam in the world and is considered a key global supplier and leader. Thailand manufactures approximately 12 million air conditioners annually — the world’s second biggest producer after China — of which about 90% are exported. Thailand is also one of the 10 largest importers and consumers of HCFCs, importing more than 18,000 metric tonnes of HCFCs in 2012… “Energy efficiency and climate protection are priorities in Thailand.  In line with Thailand’s green growth policy, application of new climate-friendly air conditioning and foam technologies will enhance Thai industries’ competitiveness in markets that increasingly demand climate friendly and energy efficient products,” said Ulrich Zachau, Country Director for Thailand, World Bank Group. “Business and technology investment using these funds will protect the earth’s ozone layer and the climate, and they will also promote sustained growth and jobs in one of Thailand’s leading industries.” The grant will be jointly executed by Thailand’s Department of Industrial Works and the Government Savings Bank.

Among media publishing material on these important advances is the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), a reporting service on United Nations environment and development negotiations published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development – Reporting Services Division (IISD-RS). IISD is a non-profit organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)