Ozone Display for World Refrigeration Day 2023

Trinidad and Tobago joins the world in celebrating World Refrigeration Day 2023 an international day established by the World Refrigeration Day Secretariat and held annually on 26 June. It was created to raise awareness about the importance of refrigeration technologies in everyday life and to raise the profile of the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sector. Trinidad and Tobago signed the Montreal protocol in 1989 which addressed the depletion of the ozone layer and set obligations for countries under the protocol. Since the signing, the National Ozone Unit of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) developed support and frameworks to aid Trinidad and Tobago in meeting its obligations.

·         In 1989 all ozone depleting substances such as refrigerant, and related equipment were placed on the import negative list and required a license for import.

·         In December 2007 the import of the refrigerant chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and its blends, as well as halon were banned.

·         In January 2015 the import of methyl bromide for use in non-quarantine and reshipment applications was banned

·         The process of phasing out the refrigerant  hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) began in 2013, and in 2015, Trinidad and Tobago banned the import of all assembled air condition (AC) and refrigeration units that use HCFCs or its blends.

·         Within this period in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards, the Ozone Unit developed labelling standards for refrigerants coming into the country; all refrigerant imports are inspected against these standards

·         The process of phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) HFCs will commence in 2024

We must always strive to be ozone friendly, which means taking individual action to reduce and eliminate impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer caused by the products that you buy, the appliances and equipment that your household or business use, or the manufacturing process used by your company.  Products made with, or containing, ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs, HCFCs, halons, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide can contribute to ozone layer depletion.  Alternatives to these products, which are also not harmful to the climate, should be used.

We must also take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun especially in a tropical island such as ours. Using umbrellas, long sleeved clothing, caps with brims, sunglasses and sun block with UV protection when going into the sun protects us from skin cancer, eye cataracts, wrinkling of the skin and weakening of the immune system by shield ourselves from UV rays.

We owe it to this and future generations to protect and preserve this precious natural shield.  

Remember Environmental pride is national pride!