On September 16, 1987, the United Nations and 45 other countries signed the Montreal Protocol, on substances that deplete the Ozone layer. This day is observed as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer every year.
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 radiation from the sun.
Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities.
Thus, World Ozone Day is observed to mark the importance of preserving the ozone layer from depleting.
Further Reading:
Also, get the list of other Important Days and Dates from the UPSC prelims perspective at the linked article.
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