Friday 21 September 2018
World Ozone Day Celebrations on the move!
Celebrating our achievements for the whole month of September...displays at Trincity Mall...
Wednesday 19 September 2018
Sunday 16 September 2018
Happy 31st birthday to the #MontrealProtocol
Happy Birthday to the Montreal Protocol-the international agreement that helped
secure a future for our ozone layer and our planet! Let’s Keep Cool and Carry On with
protecting our ozone and climate.
Here are some interesting facts!
Under the #MontrealProtocol, nations have slashed the use of ozone-depleting
substances by nearly 100%. The ozone layer is now healing and will return to 1980
levels by mid-century, with many associated benefits – including up to 2 million cases
of skin cancer avoided annually by 2030.
#MontrealProtocol has contributed significantly to mitigation of climate change by
averting more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions going
into the atmosphere from 1990 to 2010. Find out how the treaty is poised to do more
for the climate at http://ozone.unenvironment.org/
#MontrealProtocol, the treaty that protects our ozone layer will in 2019
start reducing climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons through its #KigaliAmendment.
#Didyouknow #MontrealProtocol’s #KigaliAmendment is expected to avoid up to 0.5°C
of global warming by the end of the century while continuing to protect the ozone
layer.
Trinidad and Tobago Celebrates World Ozone Day 2018
Keep cool and carry on ! The National Ozone Unit spent the day spreading this message and the work of the Montreal Protocol as we celebrate World Ozone Day 2018.
Message from the National Ozone Unit of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer September 16, 2018
As we join with other nations for the annual celebration of this occasion on September 16th, let us take a moment to reflect on the efforts made by Trinidad and Tobago and other countries of the world toward saving this fragile shield of gas known as the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.
The issue of the depletion of the ozone layer, first discovered in the 1980s, was created by the destruction of ozone molecules which make up the ozone layer from the use of ozone depleting substances (ODS). Some of the ozone depleting chemicals include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in air conditioning and refrigeration, halons used as a fire extinguishing chemical, and methyl bromide used as a fumigant.
As a result of the formation of the “ozone hole” humans, as well as entire ecosystems, can be severely affected. Indeed, research has shown that excessive exposure to Ultra Violet (UV) radiation is harmful to all life forms; from microscopic plankton found in the ocean, to farm animals and human beings. Destruction of the ozone layer puts us all at risk. The effects on humans are manifested through increased incidences of eye-cataracts, premature wrinkling of the skin, non-melanoma skin cancers, damage to genetic DNA and suppression of the efficiency of the immune system.
The depletion of the ozone layer is an example of a global problem that required a global solution. As such, countries around the world came together to agree to phase out the gases that contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer, with Trinidad and Tobago signing on to this agreement known as the Montreal Protocol in August 1989.
Over the years the Montreal Protocol has seen great success in phasing out the global manufacture and use of some of these damaging chemicals. During this time however, scientific studies made a connection between the effects of some of the ODS alternatives, and the warming of the earth which causes climate change. The Montreal Protocol then made the historic step in October 2016 to include these alternative gases, mainly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), in the list of chemicals for phase out under the Protocol. HFCs are not depleting the ozone layer but were found to be a greenhouse gas. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has signed on to this Amendment in November 2017 and as such, will be playing an important role in not only addressing ozone depletion but also reducing the release of global warming gases.
Some of the special measures already taken by The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as part of the phase-out process include:
• Phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) since December 31st 2007
• Phase-out of Methyl Bromide use in non-Quarantine and Pre-shipment Fumigation from January 1st, 2015
• Implementation of a quota system to control hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) import as at January 1st, 2013
• Ban on assembled equipment using hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as at January 1st, 2015
• Development and Implementation of Compulsory Standards for the labelling of refrigerant cylinders, and refrigerant and air conditioning equipment since 2016
• Development and Implementation of the Professional Certification Scheme for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians which was launched in April 2017
Trinidad and Tobago’s adherence to the phase out obligations of the Protocol is also consistent with our goals under Vision 2030, our national strategic plan for development. We must however note that there is still much to be done to restore the ozone layer, and all citizens should pledge to do their part, no matter how small.
As citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and of the larger global community, we must all strive to be ozone friendly, not only to protect the ozone layer but to reduce climate change. Being ozone friendly means taking individual action to reduce and eliminate impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer caused by the products that we buy, the appliances and equipment that our households or businesses use, or the manufacturing process used by our companies.
We must also take the necessary steps to guard against the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun, particularly in a tropical island such as ours where much of our activities are outdoors. We can protect ourselves by using umbrellas, caps with brims, sunglasses and sun block with UV protection when going into the sun, to shield ourselves from the UV rays, especially during peak hours of the sun.
It is imperative that we do our part in the global effort to save the ozone layer and thereby minimize the health-related effects of ozone depletion. We owe it to this and future generations to protect and preserve this precious natural shield. Remember, Environmental Pride is National Pride and when it comes to saving the environment, every action counts!
Friday 14 September 2018
Global Environment Facility Project to encourage low carbon technologies in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Sector
The National Ozone Unit (NOU) is continuing to engage suitable stakeholders in developing a project to address the issue of encouraging low carbon technologies in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector using grant funding made available to this country under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and through the implementing agency the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Sessions were held during the period September 4-5, 2018 with the relevant stakeholders to further the Project Document which is currently being crafted and will address the following:
• Accelerating market transformation towards less energy intensive and low carbon technologies through innovative technical and economic incentives
• Developing efficiency program, evaluation and monitoring capacities
• Promoting safe handling and use of low-global warning potential (GWP) alternatives.
This was followed by another session during the period September 11-13 where the document was further refined.
Wednesday 5 September 2018
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