EduFest 2015

In commemoration of Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th October, 2015 the Cancer Society of  Trinidad and Tobago (TTCS)  and Republic Bank Limited hosted an educational fair entitled "EduFest" to educate children about cancer and how to lead healthy lifestyles. 

EduFest 2015 was held at the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade of Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain. There were a number of secondary schools and primary schools from across the country in attendance. The young people had the opportunity to visit and interact with several booths highlighting various types of cancers and ways they can protect themselves.

Every year the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of Planning and Development participates in the EduFest to educate students on the destruction of the ozone layer through releasing ozone depleting chemicals into the atmosphere and its direct link to increased incidences of skin cancer. 

This year was no exception with the NOU being represented by Ms. Neera Singh (Ozone Assistant) and Mr. Javed Lakhan and Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Analysts, Environmental Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry.

R-L: Ms. Gordon and Mr. Lakhan interacting with a group of  primary school children on October  6th, 2015.

L-R: Ms. Singh, Mr. Lakhan, Ms. Sherma Mills Serette (TTCS Representative) and Ms. Gordon at the end the second day of EduFest 2015.

World Environment Day 2015

World Environment Day (WED) is the principal vehicle used by the United Nations through which worldwide awareness of the environment is stimulated as well as it  is a global celebration also serving as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something collectively helpful for the environment.  The theme for WED 2015 is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”. 

To commemorate WED 2015, on June 11th 2015 the Environmental Policy and Planning Division was invited to facilitate lectures about environmental issues such as biodiversity conservation, waste management, ozone depletion and climate change to the students of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Primary School as part of their WED activities. The EPPD also set up an interactive display in the school's auditorium where students visited during break times and played various games that also served to further teach them about the environment.

Students were engaged, participative and fully enjoyed both the lectures and the display:

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

The Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-Out

Trinidad and Tobago acceded to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the Montreal Protocol for the Phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in 1989. Our country was the first of the Caribbean Commonwealth to become a party to this Multilateral Environmental Agreement and has since ratified  all amendments to the Protocol.

Subsequent to the accession, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) was established in August 1997 within the Environmental Policy and Planning Division. This unit ensures that the country meets the obligations under the Protocol.  The efforts of the Unit over the years have resulted in the phase out of:

i. All ozone depleting substances (ODS) used in the fire protection sector (halons)

ii.Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in the foam and aerosol sectors 

iii.The imports of all CFCs as of December 31, 2007.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) was one of the chemicals used as a transient replacement for CFCs because the potential level of damage to the ozone layer was less than that caused by CFC use. However, given the increase in usage of HCFC on the global market and the consequent threat to the ozone layer, a landmark decision was made at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Montreal Protocol to accelerate the phase out of HCFCs.

Under this accelerated phase out schedule, the following was revised:

The phase out of HCFCs in Trinidad and Tobago began on January 1, 2013. Even though we do not produce any ozone depleting substances, our consumption is based on our imports. As a result, these chemicals are listed on the country's import negative list and require and import license from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment. 

25th Anniversary Celebration of the Montreal Protocol and Launch of NIHERST Ozone Awareness Display

The Montreal Protocol celebrates its 25^th year of existence in September, 2012.  World Ozone Day is celebrated each year on September 16^th.  The National Ozone Unit, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) launched the Ozone Awareness Display at the NIHERST Science Centre on September 14, 2012 in commemoration of World Ozone Day and to mark the 25^th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. 

The Honourable Ganga Singh, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources was there to receive a commemorative plaque for Trinidad and Tobago’s important contribution to protecting the ozone layer.  The display serves to build awareness for children on both the damaging effects of chemicals (such as CFCs and HCFCs) on the ozone layer and how to protect themselves from harmful UV radiation from the sun as a result of the weakened ozone layer.

 Dr Marissa Gowrie presenting a token of appreciation to Ms Maureen Manchouck, President of NIHERST

Senator, The Honourable Minister Ganga Singh interacting with the Ozone Display

Ms Rosemary Lall (UNDP Representative)  presenting the Commemorative Plaque for the 25^th Anniversary to the Minister