BSS :
The World Ozone Day will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe today with the theme “Montreal Protocol-Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool”.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday gave separate messages on the occasion urging all to take concerted efforts to help protect the ozone layer to save the environment.
In his message, the President laid emphasis on united efforts of all to invent environment-friendly technology ensuring its proper use in all sectors, in line with the Montreal Protocol.
“I think the celebration of this day will play a very positive role in raising public awareness about the ozone layer’s importance and sustaining the existence of all living things in the world and above all protecting human health as well,” he hoped.
The head of the state added that the Montreal Protocol adopted by the United Nations in 1987 is a landmark step in protecting the ozone layer.
Over the past 35 years, the use of ozone depleting substances has been significantly reduced through the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, he said.
In addition to protecting the ozone layer, the protocol is making a significant contribution to tackling global warming, climate change and the development of energy-efficient technologies, he said, adding that the use of advanced and environmentally friendly technology, especially in air-conditioning and refrigeration devices used for storing food and medicine is on the rise.
“Besides, the importance of modern technology-based refrigeration devices in the prevention of corona antidote amid the pandemic is immense,” he continued.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon the government as well as the private sector to come forward to protect the life-sustaining environment by creating mass-awareness, doing afforestation, carrying out existing laws and regulations, and using environment-friendly alternative technologies.
Referring to recent COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, she said it has devastated the world economy, but simultaneously the longtime lock down helped reduce air pollution to almost zero turning the Earth into a dark green planet and rebuild the ozone layer.
In this context, the premier also mentioned different pragmatic steps of her government to protect the environment and protect the ozone layer.
She said, “After the formation of three successive governments since 2008, we have taken various effective steps to restructure the ozone layer. We have already banned the use of most ozone depleting substances in the country, including HCFC (Hydro Chlorofluorocarbon).”
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all time, was very sensitive in maintaining the balance of the environment and he focused on the forestry and coastal green belt across the country, among other responsibilities, Hasina mentioned.
The prime minister added: “After the formation of the Awami League-led government in 1996, we adopted a comprehensive plan to ensure proper implementation of the Montreal Protocol.”
Besides, the incumbent government is working tirelessly to fully implement the Paris Agreement to stop greenhouse gas emissions, she said.
Both the president and the premier wished the overall success of all the programmes taken on the occasion of ‘World Ozone Day-2021’.
Special programmes will be aired on various electronic media including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.
The Montreal Protocol was signed in the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer on September 16, 1987 and it came into force on January 1, 1989.
Bangladesh has been observing the day since 1990 following signing of the protocol in the same year.
