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)

NOU partners with NIHERST

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is partnering with the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) of Trinidad and Tobago to embark upon an educational and public awareness drive about the ozone layer. The aim of this activity is to disseminate knowledge to the public through the NIHERST National Science Centre on ozone friendly practices, the effects of ozone depletion and sun safety. 

Our National Ozone Officer, Dr Marissa Gowrie along with Ozone Assistant Ms Neera Singh, expect that an interactive way to present the information will be developed so that kids of all ages can get a chance to discover and understand the hole in the ozone layer, how it was formed and how it can heal. 

During peak times, the National Science Centre has over 300 students visiting the displays, which provides a valuable opportunity for the NOU to get their message across. The Centre has also agreed to partner with the NOU during their grand display to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol in September 2012. 

To learn more about the National Science Centre, you may visit their national website or their link on Facebook.

Above right: Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer presenting a representative of NIHERST with educational material on the ozone layer.