Ozonko & Ozonc�ica: Croatia’s green Superheroes

Ozonko & Ozončica

How Croatia created two green superheroes, used the messaging platform Viber to promote them – and encouraged pupils to think about the ozone layer.

Within a few weeks, Ozonko and Ozončica have become superheroes in Croatia. Created by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, both cartoon characters were promoted via Viber, one of the world’s leading messaging platforms, to campaign for the protection of the ozone layer. The campaign was launched on 16 September 2019, when the United Nations celebrated International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. »As we rightly focus our energies on tackling climate change, we must be careful not to neglect the ozone layer and stay alert to the threat posed by the illegal use of ozone-depleting gases,« explained un Secretary-General António Guterres. Croatia, together with other signatories of the Montreal Protocol, is actively involved in raising public awareness of the importance of the ozone layer for life on Earth and of eliminating ozone-depleting substances. Experts predict that the natural balance between ozone formation and destruction will be fully restored by the year 2050.

Ozonko and Ozon čica’s mission? To teach the importance of the ozone layer in a smart, fun and educational way. The Ministry of Environment and Energy has therefore launched 18 free exclusive stickers featuring the superheroes via Viber. Within just 3 months, more than 35,000 users have downloaded the stickers, which have been used over 115,000 times. Tomislav Ćorić, Minister of Environment and Energy, proudly announced »that we are the first government department in Croatia to team up with Viber.« To »As we rightly focus our energies on tackling climate change, we must be careful not to neglect the ozone layer and stay alert to the threat posed by the illegal use of ozonedepleting gases.« – António Guterres, UN Secretary-General p ictures  MZ