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Sharon Chikowore Mash West Bureau
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement has joined the world in commemorating World Ozone Day by hosting a symposium at Chinhoyi Caves Motel to enlighten stakeholders on activities underway to protect the ozone layer.

The commemorations came after this year marked the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol, which is against substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol was adopted on September 16, 1987. The theme for this year’s World Ozone Day celebrations was: “32 years and Healing.”

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement’s climate change scientist Mr Tatenda Mutasa said nations were urged to act on the issue.

“Next week, the world will gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York for the Climate Action Summit, which aims to generate a massive step-up in global ambition in addressing the climate emergency,” said Mr Mutasa.

“Another year of record heat waves, super storms and climate disruption tells us we have no choice but to act now before it’s too late.

“The Montreal Protocol has been a success because of unanimous global support.

“I commend the 81 nations that have ratified the Kigali Amendment and encourage all others to follow suit.”

Mr Mutasa said as the nations prepared for the crucial meeting, they should remember that the Montreal Protocol was an inspirational example of how humanity was capable of cooperating to address a global challenge and a key instrument for tackling today’s climate crisis.

“Under this international treaty, nations have worked for 32 years to slash the use of ozone depleting chemicals used largely by the cooling industry,” he said.

“As a result, the ozone layer that shields us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation is healing.

“Implementations of the Kigali Amendment will be front and centre for climate action. We need all countries to develop National Cooling Action Plans to deliver efficient and sustainable cooling and bring essential life preserving services like vaccines and safe food to all people.

“We are calling for concrete and enhanced actions from industry.”

Climate Change Management director Mr Washington Zhakata said the theme celebrated over three decades of remarkable international cooperation to protect ozone layer.