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September 16, 2006 will be
observed worldwide as International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer under the theme “Protect the Ozone Layer: Save Life on
Earth”. Ozone Day has been celebrated globally since September 1995.
The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to
commemorate the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer.
To celebrate Ozone Day, the
National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) will be coordinating
exhibitions at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library and the
University of Technology’s library. A mini display will also be
mounted at the offices of NEPA. In addition, posters will be
distributed to all Parish libraries and selected branch libraries
island-wide. NEPA will also be visiting schools between September 12
and 15 to share with students and faculty on the link between
protecting the Ozone Layer and preserving life on earth.
The Montreal Protocol is an
international agreement opened for signature in 1987. Under the
Protocol governments worldwide have agreed to a number of measures to
reduce and eliminate the consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances
(ODS). Since 1987 the Protocol has been amended and adjusted several
times resulting in an increase in the number of controlled ODS and
their total phase out according to a fixed time table. However while
most governments have ratified the Protocol, ratification of the
amendments with their stronger control measures lags behind. In
addition, governments are not legally obligated to abide by the terms
of the Montreal Protocol until they ratify both the Protocol and the
Amendments.
Jamaica became a Party to the
agreement in 1993 and has ratified all the Amendments. We also boast
an active National Ozone Unit (NOU) which operates within NEPA. At
January 1, 2006 Jamaica ceased the importation of CFCs which are found
in some commercial and domestic refrigerators, motor vehicles and
aerosol sprays and is now ahead in the Caribbean region in the phase
out of ODS. At present, 189 nations have become Party to the Protocol
which is viewed as a commitment by these nations to phase-out the use
of (ODS).
The Ozone layer is located in the
upper atmosphere and absorbs most of the harmful Ultra Violet (UV-B)
radiation from the sun and screens out lethal UV-C radiation which is
harmful to life on earth. Areas of the ozone layer have been thinned
by ODS which are man-made chemicals released into the atmosphere from
human activities. Some ODS include Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) used
in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays as well as Halon
used in fire extinguishers. |
