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As the world marks International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Nigerians have been advised to refrain from activities that damage the ozone.
A lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ilorin Dr. Folaranmi Babalola gave the advice in an exclusive interview with correspondent Lanre Omotoso in Ilorin.
Dr. Babalola who identified ozone layer as a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth from harmful rays of the sun, stressed that if damaged could lead to cataract of the eyes, cancer of the skin as well as damage plants and ecosystems.
The University Don said that energy emanating from the sun would be too much for life on Earth to thrive if not because of the ozone layer, emphasized that gases used in refrigerators and air-conditioners create hole in the ozone.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Keeping Us, our Food and Vaccines Cool” Dr Babalola noted that depletion of ozone layer led to global warming which brings about erratic rainfall that affect food production.
Dr. Babalola stressed that if gases released to the atmosphere is reduced, there would be good weather that would help to grow crops as well as cool the environment.
United Nations General Assembly in December 1994 proclaimed September 16 as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to phase-out chemicals used by air-conditioner and refrigerator by 2040.
