Ozone layer vital for conserving monuments, cultural landscapes: Dr.Satwant Singh Rissam
Jammu Sep 16 (KINS): Heritage conservationist Dr. Satwant Singh Rissam, Additional Co-Convenor of the Jammu Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), has called on citizens and institutions to treat the ozone layer as part of humanity’s shared heritage. On World Ozone Day, observed every year on 16 September, Dr. Rissam emphasized that protecting the stratospheric ozone is as vital for future generations as conserving monuments, historic neighbourhoods, and cultural landscapes.
Dr. Rissam underlined the relevance of the 2026 theme, “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” which marks ten years of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. He noted that phasing down high‑global‑warming‑potential refrigerants and promoting energy‑efficient, climate‑friendly cooling directly support heritage conservation by reducing heat stress, extreme weather risks, and environmental degradation that threaten historic structures and community life.
“Just as we fight to conserve monuments and old neighbourhoods, we must also conserve the invisible shield above us—the ozone layer,” he said, adding that sustainable cooling choices are an act of long‑term stewardship in the true spirit of conservation.
He urged households and businesses to opt for certified, ozone‑ and climate‑friendly appliances; schools to integrate ozone protection into environmental and heritage education; and planners to embed sustainable cooling in heritage‑sensitive development.
