"Protect the Ozone Layer" to "Get Protected"

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated every year on 16th September to commemorate the the Montreal protocol of 1987 against the ozone layer depletion.

Ozone Layer is the protective layer for the Earth which is there in Stratosphere and absorbs the UV rays from the Sun. Ozone atom takes the energy from UV rays and breaks into O₂ and O atoms. These O atoms will react with O₂ atoms and form O₃ again. It is a continuous process. As the energy is being taken in these reactions, very less amount of harmful UV rays especially UV-B rays reach the Earth, thereby protecting the living beings from several diseases.

Ozone Layer Depletion is caused by CFC (Chloroflourocarbons), HCFC (Hydrochloroflourocarbons), which are widely used in refrigerators and Air conditioners.  The Cholrine atom gets separated from the CFC when exposed to UV rays on absorption of energy and it combines with O₃ to take away O and leaves O_2. Thus, the number of O₃ atoms gets reduced, which lead to Ozone layer depletion and passage of UV rays to the Earth with high concentration. Halon, Methyl Bromide etc., are some of the other Ozone depleting substances. Methyl Bromide is a pesticide used in agriculture for pest control. Some of the chemicals used in sprays and paints can also damage the Ozone layer. Using the alternatives and natural substances are suggested for protecting the Ozone layer from depletion. While purchasing such products, it is our prime responsibility to check that they will not harm the Ozone layer protection.

Please go through the following links for further information:-
http://www.theozonehole.com/ozonedestruction.htm

http://www.un.org/en/events/ozoneday/ 

http://ozone.unep.org/

Thus, it is clear that " Not protecting the Ozone Layer is like not protecting ourselves"