National Ozone Unit Public Awareness and Training Activities

During the period April - June 2015, the National Ozone Unit (NOU), a specialised of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) had several initiatives in their efforts to minimise the consumption of ozone depleting substances and thus, fulfill the requirements of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. These initiatives included:

School Sensitisation Programmes:

With the aim of increasing public awareness, the NOU conducted  sensitisation programmes in schools across the country during the months May to June, 2015. 

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 as well as the NOU shared tips for protecting oneself from the sun’s harmful UV rays .

The NOU has presented to classes ranging from lower primary school to Form Six.  Schools visited included:

• Mucurapo Girls’  RC School (May 1, 2015) 
• Barrackpore East Secondary (June 2, 2015) 
• Parvati Girls’ Hindu College (June 5, 2015) 
•  Arouca Government Primary (June 11, 2015) 
•  ASJA Boys’ College (March 18, 2015)

 

Ms. Krysten Harris of the NOU, MEWR facilitating a  sensitisation session with students of Mucurapo Girls

 

Stakeholder Engagement:

New applicants for loans and mortgages can look out for useful information on making smart choices when purchasing equipment such as air conditioning unit and domestic refrigerators for their homes.

The National Ozone Unit held a sensitisation session on April 14, 2015 with members of the financial sector to develop a collaboration which would be used to disseminate information to consumers and homeowners. This will be done through brochures and the uploading of information to the various websites. The participants were very interested in the partnership and took part actively in the discussions.

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer conducting  a  sensitisation with members of the financial sector.

 

Training Sessions: 

As part of the effort to strengthen the regulatory monitoring of the import of ozone depleting substances (ODS), the National Ozone Unit  (NOU) is continuing its sensitisation of customs brokers. On May 12, 2015 the NOU also has commenced its partnership with the Customs Training School in Port of Spain to impart knowledge, examples and up to date information on these substances. 

 

Ms. Neera Singh facilitating the training session with participants from the Customs Training School, Port-of-Spain (May 12, 2015)

In addition, on May 19, 2015 the NOU visited Huggins Shipping in Port of Spain to continue its company specific training sessions. The session was well received by the officers and the offer has been extended to other sections of the company. 

Ms. Neera Singh conducting the training session with Huggins Shipping and Customs Brokerage company, May 19th, 2015

In continuation of its promotion of hydrocarbon as an alternative refrigerant, which is ozone friendly as well as climate friendly, the NOU conducted a hydrocarbon training in south Trinidad on Saturday May 23, 2015. The session was facilitated by Mr. Anthony Banfield, (Flavorite Foods Limited and Hydrocarbon trainer) focused on proper refrigeration practices including safe handling of refrigerant and equipment. The practical session exposed participants to new technology in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector using hydro-carbon refrigerant. 

 

 

Mr. Anthony Banfield facilitating the training on hydrocarbons in south Trinidad.

 

Methyl Bromide has been phased out for non-quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) since January 1, 2015 but its use is still allowed for QPS though strictly controlled through a licensing system. In this regard, on June 10, 2015 the NOU conducted a sensitisation session for the Pest Risk Management Unit at Centeno to provide some up to date information on some of the alternatives available for methyl bromide for QPS.

  

Mr. Anthony Ramdeen (Consultant for the Methyl Bromide Phase-Out Project) facilitating the session on alternatives of Methyl Bromide.

 

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

YWCATT’s Environmental Education Programme

In October, 2014 The Young Women’s Christian Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YWCATT) once again engaged the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) to give support in the implementation of its environmental awareness programme entitled "Environment: Our Space Our Responsibility".

The  Programme consisted of three one hour sessions with the Form 1 students of Bishops Centenary College, Roberts Street,  Port-of-Spain. The programme is intended to expose young women to environmental education. Representatives of the Environmental Policy and  Planning Division (EPPD) of the MEWR shared their expertise and knowledge on the areas of  Biodiversity, Waste Management, Ozone layer Depletion and Climate Change. 

Ms. Amoroso (left) presenting on Biodiversity at the 1st session of the YWCATT environment programme on October 16th, 2014

The first session which focused on Biodiversity Conservation took place on October 16th, 2014 and was facilitated by Ms. Candace Amoroso (Biodiversity Specialist) and Ms. Anastasia Gordon (Environmental Policy Analyst). 

Environmental Policy Analysts, Mr. Javed Lakhan and Ms. Anastasia Gordon presented on Waste Management including Recycling in Trinidad and Tobago at the second session of the Programme which occurred on October 22, 2014. 

The third and last session of the Programme which centred on  Climate Change and Ozone Layer Depletion took place on October 30, 2014 and was facilitated by Ms. Sindy Singh (Research Analyst) and Ms. Neera Singh (National Ozone Unit) and Ms. Krysten Harris (Associate Professional).

 

Ms. Singh facilitating the last session of the YWCATT’s environment programme on Climate Change on October 30, 2014.

EPPD assists with YWCATT's Environment Programme

In May, 2014 The Young Women’s Christian Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YWCATT) once again engaged the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) to give support in the implementation of its environmental programme entitled "Environment: Our Space Our Responsibility".  The programme was intended to expose young women to environmental education.

The Environmental Policy and Planning Division  (EPPD) of the MEWR  shared their expertise and knowledge on the areas of Biodiversity, Waste Management, Ozone Layer Depletion and Climate Change. The Programme consisted of three one hour sessions with the Form 1 students of Bishops Centenary College, Roberts Street,  Port-of-Spain:

• May 15, 2014  - Session 1: Biodiversity Conservation facilitated by Ms. Candace Amoroso  (Biodiversity Specialist ) and Ms. Anastasia Gordon (Environmental Policy Analyst)

Ms. Candace Amoroso speaks on Biodiversity and its importance

Ms. Anastasia Gordon sensitising the girls on the causes of biodiversity loss 

 

• May 22, 2014 - Session 2: Waste Management and Recycling  facilitated by Ms. Keima Gardiner (Environmental Engineering Specialist)



Ms. Gardiner enlightening the girls on waste management in Trinidad and Tobago

 

•  May 29, 2014 - Session 3: Climate Change and Ozone Layer Depletion facilitated by Ms. Sindy Singh (Research Analyst) and Ms. Neera Singh (Ozone Assistant, National Ozone Unit)

Ms. Singh Singh talking to the young ladies on Climate Change

Ms. Neera Singh presenting on Ozone Layer Depletion