The National Ozone Unit (NOU) tasked with the implementation and roll out of the National Hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) continued its efforts to support the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector and the public to use alternatives and adopt ozone friendly practices. Over the period January - March, 2016, these activities included:  

•  Technology transfer: The NOU distributed hydrocarbon leak detectors to local air condition and refrigeration technicians. Hydrocarbon has been identified as a viable alternative to the ozone depleting refigerant; HCFCs in the RAC sector. 

•  Regulation of HCFCs: In accordance with the HPMP, quotas were given to eleven (11) local companies to import the R22, R123 refrigerants and their blends. By law, all imports of refrigerant and equipment containing refrigerant require a license from the Trade Licensing Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

• Training: The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP ROLAC) conducted a mission to Trinidad and Tobago. This mission was to facilitate a project which included a training session designed to encourage the use of alternatives to methyl bromide (MB) in this country, and to strengthen the capacity of the fumigation sector to use these alternatives.

• School Awareness Programme: the NOU in an effort to sensitise the public about the ozone layer, its depletion and current initiatives of the NOU as well as how to protect themselves against UV rays, participated in environmental events in schools specifically the Bishop Anstey High School and Trinity East High School's Sustainability Fair and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Primary School's Materials and Energy Conservation Day. In addition, the NOU conducted sensitisation sessions at ASJA Girls and Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain.

 

 

NOU Staff engage with students at the Bishop Anstey and Trinity East  Sustainability Fair 

Children of the UWI Primary School thoroughly engrossed in with the presentation by the NOU/EPPD staff.

Ms. Neera Singh,  Ozone Assistant, with students of ASJA Girls after  her presentation on ozone depletion.

For more information on the NOU's activities, visit nou-tt.blogspot.com.

World Ozone Day Poster Competition

On Wednesday 8th April, 2015 the National Ozone Unit of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) held a Prize Giving Ceremony for winners of its World Ozone Day Poster Competition at the Carlton Savannah Hotel, Port-of-Spain. 

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has sought to educate the general public on becoming ozone friendly as well as inculcate environmentally responsible behaviour and attitudes among our citizens. As such, this competition was intended to encourage students between the ages of five and eighteen to design posters depicting ozone layer depletion and ways to save the ozone layer  in commemoration of the 2014 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. World Ozone Day is celebrated annually on September 16th.

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer and Deputy Environmental Manager, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, MEWR informing the audience about the importance of protecting the ozone layer

 

The theme for 2014 was entitled "Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On." The poster competition celebrated this theme which focused on global efforts to protect the ozone layer and address sustainability issues whilst highlighting those individuals and groups that actively participate in Ozone Layer protection.

 

Ms. Ramkhelawan giving opening remarks at the Prize Giving Ceremony

 

In her remarks at the Prize Giving, Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan, Permanent Secretary of the MEWR regarded the use of environmental competitions as an invaluable tool that offers students an alternative approach to learning about the environment. She outlined the causes and the negative effects of ozone layer depletion and therefore, urged attendees to continue to do their part to protect the ozone layer.  

Top prizes included electronic tablets and book vouchers. The following is a listing of the results from the competition which was presided over by the National Coordinating Committee on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

5-11 year old category:

• First place      - Andrew Raghunanan, Charlieville ASJA Primary 
• Second place  - Adam Raghunanan, Charlieville ASJA Primary 
• Third place     - Zeph Subran-Ganesh, Home- Schooled 
• Fourth place   - Danielle John, Arouca Government Primary

Poster by First place winner in the 5-11 year category - Andrew Raghunanan

  12-18 year old category

• First place     - Stacy Jagoonanan, Rio Claro West Secondary 
• Second place - Aaron Raghunanan , Queen’s Royal College 
• Third Place    - Jahlisa May, St. Joseph’s Convent, St. Joseph 
• Fourth place   - Josiah Du Barry, Barataria South Secondary School

Poster by First place winner in the 12-18 year old category - Stacy Jagoonanan

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources would like to especially recognize and thank all students who participated in this competition as well as their parents, guardians and teachers for supporting them.

Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Dr Marissa Gowrie (left) National Ozone Officer and Deputy Manager, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with winners of the World Ozone Day, Poster Competition

Climate Change Awareness in Schools continue

The importance of climate change education and awareness is highlighted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As Trinidad and Tobago is signatory to the UNFCCC,  the country is required to carry out educational awareness programmes and initiatives on climate change.

In this regard, the EPPD has been conducting public awareness programmes in schools across the country. The following are some of the recent schools that members of the EPPD have visited thus far:

 ASJA Girl's College - January 29, 2015

 

Ms. Aditi Thanoo, EPPD giving part of the climate change presentation to the girls of ASJA Girl's College

Ms. Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel, EPPD delivering the other part of the presentation to the ASJA girls

 

Woodbrook Secondary School - February 2, 2015

Ms. Thanoo delivering the climate change presentation to the Geography Form 3 class of Woodbrook Secondary

Form 3 Geography class of Woodbrook Secondary listening attentively to the climate change awareness presentation

NOU Public Awareness Activities and Training

School Programmes:

 Ms. Krysten Harris of the NOU (back row),  Ministry of the  Environment

 and Water  Resources with students of  Lambeau A.C  Primary 

School after a sensitization  session.

With the aim of increasing public awareness, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) began conducting sensitization programmes in schools across the country during the month of November. Students were educated on the Montreal Protocol, the Ozone Layer and its depletion, and current initiatives being undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The NOU has presented to classes ranging from lower primary school to Form Six and plans to continue doing so in the new 2015 school term. Schools visited include:

• Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain 
• St. Francois Girls’ College 
•  Bishop Centenary College 
•  Lambeau A.C. Primary School 
•  Bon Accord Government Primary

 

Customs Brokers Training:

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, the NOU’s Ozone Officer, 

speaking with participants of the Customs Brokers Training

On 25th November, 2014 the NOU held its first training session for customs brokers at Premier Quality Services Limited, Macoya. This training was done in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the NOU and stakeholders in the trade of ozone depleting substances (ODS), and to increase understanding of the requirements for importation of refrigeration and air conditioning gases.

The workshop was a collaborative effort between the NOU, Trade Licensing Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), Customs and Excise Division and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association. It was well attended by 22 customs brokers from various companies.

Presentations made to the participants included:

• The Montreal Protocol and the science of the Ozone Layer and its depletion by Dr. Marissa Gowrie (NOU)
• HS Tariff Codes for Refrigerants (Customs Quick Tool) by Ms. Neera Singh (NOU) 
• Role of TTBS in monitoring imports and identifying refrigerants by Mr. Urvyn Boochoon (TTBS) 
•  TT Biz Link and ASYCUDA by Ms. Kerry Ann Alexander (Customs Academy).

Mr. Urvyn Boochoon of TTBS having a practical session with customs brokers on the use of refrigerant identifiers

This training session also encompassed the information gained from a regional training workshop held in Grenada in 2013 which focused on “Protecting Caribbean Borders from Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).” The collaborative efforts were well received and the NOU intends to continue further training with custom brokerage firms in 2015.