Students and staff participated in the commemoration of the international day for the preservation of the ozone layer at the Michuki Memorial Park, Nairobi annually marked on 16th September.
The 40th commemoration of the ‘World Ozone Day’ was themed; “40 Years of the Vienna Convention: From Science to Global Action’.
Led by the Student Association of the Technical University of Kenya (SATUK), the Environmental Student Association joined other environmentalists during the commemoration. Members of staff included; Dr. Ali Adan, Senior Assistant Registrar, Jacob Koila, Administrative Staff office both from Office of the Dean of Students, Dominic Chungo from the Department of Liberal Development & International Studies and Fr. John Ngbapia Bakiri from the Department of Global Government and Public Policy.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah M. Barasa who was the chief guest was flanked by the representatives of Germany Embassy in Nairobi, Head of World Ozone Secretariat and NEMA officials in marking the day.
Dr. Barasa emphasised the need to reduce ozone depleting substances, double efforts in tree planting, and promote sustainable waste management practices for enhanced environmental Stewardship.
The history of ozone layer protection is a story of scientific discovery leading to unprecedented global action, culminating in the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, widely regarded as one of the world's most successful environmental treaties.
“The journey began with scientific evidence in the 1970s and 1980s confirming that human-made chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons were depleting the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation,” the CS said.
This led to the adoption of the Vienna Convention in 1985 and the signing of the Montreal Protocol on September 16, 1987, which set binding obligations for developed and developing countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
Over time, advancements, including the 2016 Kigali Amendment, expanded the protocol to phase down hydrofluorocarbons which, while not ozone-depleting, are potent greenhouse gases.
Thanks to these international efforts, nearly 99% of ozone-depleting substances have been phased out, and the ozone layer is projected to recover to 1980 levels by the middle of the 21st century.
