15 Sep 2013

Botswana has joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Ozone Day under the theme: A Healthy Atmosphere, the Future we Want.

In an interview, chief meteorologist, Ms Penny Lesolle said the theme for this year was important as it had become necessary to take action now in order to protect the atmosphere for future generations. Botswana would join the international community in commemorating this day, through public awareness campaigns spearheaded by the Department of Meteorological Services.

The general public will be sensitised on the importance of protecting the ozone layer through messages over radio, in the print media and through short messages systems (SMS) to 200 000 subscribers of the three mobile services providers.  

Ms Lesolle noted that Botswana joined the war against ozone depletion by becoming a party to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer since March 1992. “As party to the protocol, the country is required to control and subsequently phase out the use of ozone depleting substances,” she said.

The depletion of the ozone layer led to increased ultraviolet radiation from the sun reaching the lower atmosphere and the earth’s surface. Ultraviolet radiation was known to affect many biological and chemical processes and is largely detrimental to individual organisms. Ms Lesolle said some known effects included increase in incidences of certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts in animals and humans as well as weakening the human immune system.

She said studies had shown that people living closer to areas around the equator and within the sub-tropics such as Botswana are exposed to the direct rays of the sun and experience greater incidents of these health problems.

Meanwhile, Ms Lesolle said the National Ozone Unit under the Department of Meteorological Services has been undertaking some awareness activities aimed at monitoring ozone depleting substances.

“Their efforts have yielded results as consumption of Chlorofluorocarbons in Botswana has dropped from over 16 metric tonnes in 1993 to about two tonnes in 2005 and zero up to date.

As part of the implementation of the protocol, the Department developed a Refrigerant Management Plan in 1999, which included training of Refrigeration Technician and Customs Officials.” Ends