Monitoring Refrigerant Imports can Save the Earth!

On Thursday 27th June, 2013, an article entitled "Better monitoring of refrigerant imports: Can help save the Earth" featured in the Business Day section in the Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday Newspaper. The article  was co-written by Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Nadita Ramachala from the Standardisation Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS).

The article gives the public an overview of the global environmental phenomena of ozone depletion caused by emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as refrigerants in the atmosphere.  It also showcases the efforts made by the National Ozone Unit to protect the ozone layer and phase out ODS ensuring the that Trinidad and Tobago meets its obligations under the Montreal Protocol. 

It also highlights the collaboration of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in regulating refrigerants being imported and sold in the country via the development of national standards for the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry.  This alliance will ensure the improvement of these products and services while helping to guide the phasing out of refrigerants classified as ODS. 

If you missed last week's article in the Newsday, check out the link below to view the full article:

Better monitoring of refrigerant imports: Can help save the Earth

Page 19, Business Day

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspaper

Meeting of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti Ozone Officers

The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP ROLAC) along with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis hosted the Meeting of the English Speaking Caribbean Ozone Officers held during the period March 18-21, 2013 in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Dr. Marissa Gowrie; the National Ozone Officer and Ms. Neera Singh, Ozone Assistant both from the National Ozone Unit (NOU); Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. Representatives from the UNEP OzonAction ROLAC and Paris Office, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and national stakeholders from St. Kitts and Nevis were also present.

The meeting focused on:

• Major decisions coming of the 24th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and the Compliance Status of the Montreal Protocol in the Caribbean Network 
• Major issues addressed in the 23rd Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol
• Recent decisions of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat and the implications for the Caribbean Region
• Certifications and licensing systems  for technicians (case study on a system set up by the Belize Ozone Unit)
• Graduate level course on the Management of Ozone Depleting Substances in progress to be implemented at the University of the West Indies and its benefits to the Caribbean region
• Implementation of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase Out Management Plans (HPMPs)

This forum provided a distinct opportunity for the English Speaking Caribbean and Haitian Ozone Officers to share and learn from each others' experiences. 

Training on Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Pest Control Operators

Methyl Bromide (an ozone depleting substance - ODS) is used in fumigation for pest control. Under the Montreal Protocol, this substance must be phased out by 2015. Therefore, training in the alternatives for fumigation pest control is extremely important. The NOU held training sessions from March 11- 13, 2013 at Premier Quality Services Limited in Trincity Industrial Estate, Macoya.

Training sessions on March 11th and 12th, 2013 were aimed at informing pest controllers on the current alternatives to Methyl Bromide. In addition, a sensitisation session for the Pest Control Sector was also held on Wednesday 13th March, 2013.  This session was geared towards educating pest control companies of fumigation best practices in the industry.  

Mr Anthony Ramdeen (Consultant for the Methyl Bromide Phase Out Project) carrying out the training on the alternatives of Methyl Bromide for fumigation and fumigation best practices.

   

 

Dr.Gowrie  giving an introductory presentation to the pest control operators on the Montreal Protocol and the NOU

Phase out Schedule for Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) from January 1, 2013

25th Anniversary Celebration of the Montreal Protocol and Launch of NIHERST Ozone Awareness Display

 

 

The Montreal Protocol celebrates its 25^th year of existence in September, 2012.  World Ozone Day is celebrated each year on September 16^th.  The National Ozone Unit, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) launched the Ozone Awareness Display at the NIHERST Science Centre on September 14, 2012 in commemoration of World Ozone Day and to mark the 25^th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. 

The Honourable Ganga Singh, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources was there to receive a commemorative plaque for Trinidad and Tobago’s important contribution to protecting the ozone layer.  The display serves to build awareness for children on both the damaging effects of chemicals (such as CFCs and HCFCs) on the ozone layer and how to protect themselves from harmful UV radiation from the sun as a result of the weakened ozone layer.

 Dr Marissa Gowrie presenting a token of appreciation to Ms Maureen Manchouck, President of NIHERST

 

Senator, The Honourable Minister Ganga Singh interacting with the Ozone Display

 Rosemary Lall (UNDP Representative)  presenting the Commemorative Plaque for the 25^th Anniversary to the Minister

Ozone Awareness at ABS

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) continues its education of the air-conditioning and refrigeration sector on the Montreal Protocol and the impending phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) scheduled to begin in January 2013, through its lectures and outreach activities. 

The NOU most recently conducted training and awareness raising at Abel Building Solutions (ABS) at its Mount Hope Offices for the entire engineering department including senior staff, technical professionals and procurement officers.

Attendees were informed about the phase out targets for HCFC as well as the elements of the HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) which include equipment provision, further training in good refrigeration practices, retrofitting of equipment, and the establishment of a certification programme for technicians.  

To learn more about ABS, you can visit the company's website.

From L-R: Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer), Mr. Adam Sabga (General Manager; ABS ) and Mr. Winfield Clamens (one of the founders the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association)

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome the blogspot of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Trinidad and Tobago! The NOU is a specialised unit of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division,  a division  within the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

 

Established in 1999, the NOU was formed to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago meets its obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This international treaty  aims to phase out and eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances. Trinidad and Tobago signed unto the Protocol in August,1989.

 

This blog is designed to raise the profile of the NOU, and make our work more accessible to our valued stakeholders and the public, making use of social media (a blog!).  We encourage you to start following our blog, aimed at making you aware of what we are doing to achieve the requirements of the Montreal Protocol and its significance on a national scale.

The NOU blog will provide updates on its activities to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS) in Trinidad and Tobago. It will also serve as an avenue for persons to get the most current information on alternatives to ODS and provide comments or lodge queries.

 

Subscribe to our blog in the sidebar by: submitting your email address or  joining the site as a follower to receive notifications about new posts. We look forward to keeping you, as our stakeholder, better informed in the future.