ON September 16, 2010, Cameroon joins the international community in commemorating the International Day for the preservation of the ozone layer.

In this year, the 16th edition Ozone Day will be held at Mvog Betsi Zoo at 9.30 am and will be marked under the theme « Ozone layer protection : gouvernance an compliance at their best ».

Activities to mark the 2010 celebration will consist of a school challenge between some secondary schools in Yaounde, children painting competition, an exhibition of paintings on ozone issues, a match for ozone protection, etc.

The theme of this year is « Ozone layer protection : gouvernance an compliance at their best ». meant to celebrate the good governance approach persued by the Parties in the implementartion of the Protocol. By 1 st January 2010 Cameroon had eliminated 100°/° of ots historical level of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride thereby protecting the ozone layer for present and future generations. The reductions achieved have also resulted in very large reductions of global warming gases, thereby contributing significantly to protection of the global climate system.

The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere and made up of numerous molecules of ozone gases, grouped together to protect life on earth from the harmful ultraviolet B rays of the sun. It is destroyed by ceratin substances used in industry such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the refrigeration, air conditioning, foam making sectors, etc., halons for fire fighting, methyl bromide for control of insecticides, fungicides, ets ;

The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol, of which Cameroon is a signatory since 1989, seek to reduce and phase out the use of ozone depleting substances and promote the use of ozone-friendly alternatives.