UN film and game for teens focuses on protecting ozone layer

CAMEROON, Cameroon — The United Nations launched an animated film and game on Sunday aimed at engaging Gen Z teenagers on the importance of protecting the ozone layer.

The project, called “Reset Earth,” was produced by the U.N. Environment Program’s Ozone Secretariat.

The ozone layer is a thin part of the atmosphere which protects the Earth from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation.

The secretariat said the film and game explore the story of how in the 1980s the global scientific community came together to start reversing damage caused to the ozone layer and adopt treaties to restrict or ban use of ozone-depleting substances used for refrigeration, in air conditioners and aerosol sprays including chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons.

“The protection of the ozone layer cannot be considered a done deal,” said Meg Seki, the Ozone Secretariat’s acting executive director. “It must be a continuous effort by us and by future generations.”

“If our children learn about the grim consequences of a ruined ozone layer through a fantasy cartoon and game app, they will be aware of its importance and protect it,” Seki said in a statement.

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On the Web: https://ozone.unep.org/reset-earth

The Associated Press