Saint Lucians urged to adopt measures to protect ozone layer
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Saint Lucians urged to adopt measures to protect ozone layer |
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Monday 19 September 2011 – With worrying concerns about the harmful depletion of the ozone layer mounting daily, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Urban Renewal and the Environment, Honourable Richard Frederick, continues to appeal to persons to protect themselves from solar radiation.
Some protection measures include wearing sun glasses, large brimmed hats and sun block when spending time out in the sun, playing sports, or relaxing on the beach. The public is also advised to avoid extended exposure to the sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. when it is at its peak in our region.
Minister Frederick urges all Saint Lucians to play their part by asking questions and staying informed on the Montreal Protocol as daily actions can make a positive or negative contribution to the state of the ozone layer and climate.
“Although we remain unceasing in our efforts to protect the ozone layer, global observations have verified that atmospheric levels of key ozone-depleting substances are going down and it is believed that with the full implementation of the protocol’s provisions, the ozone layer should return to pre-1980 levels by 2050. This will ensure that present and future generations benefit from an environment to which we were good stewards.”
Minister Frederick says the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan presents Saint Lucia and other countries with a unique opportunity to select cutting-edge technologies that eliminate these ozone-depleting substances, while reducing national energy costs and maximizing climate benefits.
“The challenges of environmental management faced by a Small Island Developing Countries such as Saint Lucia are many. Our small size and location render us highly vulnerable to disasters and to the negative impacts of environmental change. It is in this context that I am pleased to note the efforts of the National Ozone Unit in promoting alternatives to ozone-depleting substances, which provide broader environment benefits such as climate benefits and energy benefits. In this regard, it is clear that HCFC phase-out presents Saint Lucia with a real opportunity to build on the work already being undertaken in areas such as renewable energy that will secure its place, as a trendsetter in the Caribbean region.” Since signing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer in 1994, Saint Lucia has accelerated efforts to reduce the use of harmful gases and substances that harm the ozone layer. |
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