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DOMINICA, Nov 24 (IPS) – The world celebrates the Worldwide Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer annually, however for Saint Lucia, the annual month-long observance highlights year-round work on ozone safety.For nations throughout the globe, September 16th is a day to mirror on progress in defending the ozone layer. The United Nations designated day for the preservation of the ozone layer is marked by speeches, and academic and social media campaigns.
For the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia, in the future is just not enough to spotlight the positive aspects made or to have fun the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, a landmark, universally ratified treaty.
For that nation, Ozone ‘day’ caps a month-long observance, and ozone safety is a year-round effort.
“The Nationwide Ozone Unit was established in 1997 and is liable for coordinating our actions and programmes to make sure that we meet our targets beneath the Montreal Protocol,” Sustainable Improvement and Setting Officer in Saint Lucia’s Division of Sustainable Improvement Kasha Jn Baptiste advised IPS.
“Our most important obligation is reporting on our progress with the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances and coordinating related initiatives. Different duties embody training and consciousness, technician coaching, implementation and enforcement of laws, and coordinating companions to make sure that we meet our obligations beneath the conference. This can be a year-round job.”
Following summer season actions with youth aged 15-18, the Division of Sustainable Improvement held a month-long observance in September. Occasions included media appearances and updates on Saint Lucia’s progress towards reaching the mannequin protocol. The Division has held consciousness occasions in any respect faculty ranges, with extra actions scheduled for October.
It’s a part of a year-round effort to coach the general public and put youth on the heart of ozone safety.
“Some of the essential methods to proceed to spotlight the ozone layer is thru elevated consciousness. We began with ozone day and normally targeting training actions round that day, however we realised that we will need to have actions year-round. We’re additionally encouraging the instructing of ozone points as a part of our science curriculum,” mentioned Jn Baptiste, who’s the Focal Level for the Montreal Protocol in Saint Lucia.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector
A significant element of sustaining compliance with the Montreal Protocol includes stringent monitoring of the refrigeration and air con sector. This consists of refrigerants comparable to chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, a gaggle of ozone-depleting chemical compounds which have been banned however stay in older fridge and air situation fashions.
In Saint Lucia, the Sustainable Improvement Division conducts year-round coaching for technicians.
“The refrigeration air con sector is the place we use the majority of these merchandise and technicians are those servicing this stuff. We wish them to pay attention to what is occurring, how the sector is transitioning, and what new options can be found,” Jn Baptiste advised IPS.
In a 2016 modification to the Montreal Protocol, nations agreed to section out the usage of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have been getting used as substitutes to CFCs. Often known as the Kigali Modification, its signatories agreed that these HFCs characterize highly effective greenhouses gases (hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon) and contribute to local weather change.
“What is de facto essential now could be that nations like Saint Lucia have targets on the Montreal Protocol. We now have been saying ‘HFC-free by 2030,’ so in October, Saint Lucia will launch section two of our HPMP, the HFC Section Out Administration Plan. That can embody actions wanted to assist us obtain that 2030 goal. We are going to increase on what has been carried out prior to now and embody actions for coaching of technicians.”
Legislative adjustments
Officers are at present reviewing the nation’s laws to make sure compliance with Kigali Modification targets.
“Our laws must be up to date to increase our licensing and quota system to incorporate HFCs in order that we will goal these gases and management them beneath the Montreal Protocol,” Jn. Baptiste mentioned.
“What’s fascinating is that the HFC phase-down can contribute to prevention of 0.4 levels of warming by the tip of the century. That’s essential. 0.4 levels is small, however we all know that the Paris Settlement targets a 1.5 diploma. The Kigali Modification, if nations implement it, will likely be doing a number of the work of the local weather settlement. The Montreal Protocol began off with the objective of preserving the ozone layer, however it has advanced to handle local weather change points – international warming points.”
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© Inter Press Service (2022) — All Rights ReservedAuthentic supply: Inter Press Service
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