2018 Sep 16
More than thirty years have passed since the discovery of a life-threatening hole in the sky. Thirty years of international collaboration and hard work and the results are very much evident. Today, the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, marks the annual remembrance of how the world presented a united front during vulnerable times and potentially saved countless lives.
We are not in the clear just yet, however.
The Ozone layer is a vulnerable shield of gas in the sky, serving as Earth’s very own defense system against the harmful rays of the sun. It is now a well-publicized fact that, in full affect, these rays can cause skin cancer or eye damage but this was still no laughing matter in the year 1985 when the discovery of the Ozone Hole in the sky was published, taking the world by storm.
How did this infamous hole come to be? Chemicals (CFCs) released in the air from various equipment, especially the refrigerator and air-conditioning industries were widely responsible for breaking down large amounts of ozone. This realization prompted the Vienna Convention in 1985, marking the union of 20 nations in negotiating the regulations on ozone depleting substances (ODS). This was a remarkable feat and went down in history. Not long after, the Montreal Protocol followed, establishing a tight control over ODS. The nations that persisted through each amendment and agreement added to this protocol are solely to thank for the shrinking of the ozone layer and the 2 million cases of skin cancer (plus even more so of eye damage) that have been prevented each year since.
But with the slow elimination of ozone depleting substances came yet another problem- the equally deadly substitute, HFCs. Being a chemical with high global warming potential, this was creating more problems than it solved. Thus, after 7 long years of negotiating, the Kigali Amendment came into play in 2016, an integrative effort into controlling ODS and addressing climate change. The Amendment is set to enter full force by 2019 and aims to gradually reduce, then eliminate HFCs by using certain measures and phase-down schedules.
The 2018 theme for this International Day, “Keep Cool and Carry On”, serves as a reminder that this is a longstanding process, which also happens to be why there is plenty of emphasis on educating each generation on the importance of the ozone layer and why we should pick out equipment that are environmentally and ozone friendly.
Sri Lanka has been considered an active and exemplar participant in the ozone protection efforts, beginning from the establishment of the National Ozone Unit in 1994 to successfully phasing out CFCs islandwide in 2008. The President further stated in 2015 that we have managed to root out and stop the use of 54 out of 97 chemicals that have been damaging our ozone layer.
Lanka’s commitment to protecting the ozone layer has received its fair share of praise, making it a leading example amongst other developing countries. We also happen to be the recipient of the Montreal Protocol Implementers Award in 2007 and our very own Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka, was elected to the Chair of the Conference of the Parties, Vienna Conference.
Speaking with Pulse on Lanka’s current state of affairs regarding Ozone Protection, the Director of the Air Resources Management and National Ozone Unit, Mr. Sugath Koralalage stated: “We are complying with the obligations of the Montreal Protocol and are in the process of controlling ODS, and now mainly HFCs which will be completely phasing out by 2030. We are in the process of reducing 10% of the baseline data we calculated from 2010 to 2012. By 2020, we hope to reduce 37.5%.. Then, 2025 we will reduce up to 67% and by 2030 we will be completely phasing out all Ozone Depleting Substances to be imported to Sri Lanka. That is our current plan. We are also conducting awareness programs and technology transfers for technicians engaging in industries. We’re also focusing on reducing the substances which have global warming potential used in refrigeration and air conditioning sectors in accordance with the Kigali Amendment.”
Mr. Koralalage also revealed there would be an event held on the 17th (due to the President’s availability) at BMICH to mark the World Ozone Day 2018, which will include a roundtable discussion of current affairs surrounding Ozone Protection with the stakeholders of the industry.
Yes, plenty of responsibility surrounding this issue falls on the governments and the industrial heads’ shoulders but we too can contribute to the cause. Simply be more environmentally conscious in the purchase of your equipment and choose those that will have minimal ozone impact. A few inquiries before the purchase of a product might go a long way. You should also make sure to check for leaks regularly and hire trained experts to repair any appliances, thus ensuring that carrier gases will be properly recycled.
Apply this to all other aspects of living on this island: Think sustainably, think smart- protect that which is protecting you.
