EPA intensifies awareness creation on Ozone layer and climate change in Western Region

As part of rigorous measures to raise awareness on ozone depletion, climate change, and other environmental challenges confronting developing countries by the year 2030, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has intensified its campaign on ozone-friendly human activities in selected academic and public institutions in five regions of the country to deepen the understanding, especially among students who are potential future leaders.

The annual campaign has targeted five regions this year, including the Bono, Eastern, Ashanti, Central, and Western regions.

The Acting Director of Climate Change and Ozone at the Environmental Protection Agency in Accra, Joseph Amankwa Baffoe, addressed the Royal Sanitation and Climate Change Ambassadors (ROSACA) Club of Ahantaman Girls' Senior High School at a seminar in Takoradi on World Ozone Day Celebrations in the Western Region.

This event was part of the EPA's annual awareness campaign on the importance of the ozone layer to human life and measures to save it from depletion to prevent dire consequences on the environment.

Mr. Amankwa Baffoe stated that the EPA targeted students because, as young people, they needed to better understand issues related to the ozone layer to implement ozone-friendly policies when they assume leadership roles.

During the seminar, students were educated on topics such as The Montreal Protocol Advancing Climate Action, Why the Ozone Layer is Important to Life, Ozone Layer Depletion and Effects, The Human Effects of Increased Exposure to UVB Radiation, Will the Ozone Layer Recover?, and The Ozone Layer and Climate Change.

Mr. Amankwa Baffoe highlighted that the ozone layer was depleting faster than forming due to human activities involving chemicals in refrigeration, fire extinguishers, and industries. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the negative effects of ozone layer depletion, such as eye cataracts.

He mentioned that developed countries had met their target of phasing out dangerous chemicals depleting the ozone layer by 2020. According to the Paris Agreement and Montreal Protocol, it is now mandatory for everyone in developing countries to play a critical role in reducing emissions.

Mr. Amankwa Baffoe pointed out that most of Ghana's emissions came from refrigerators containing ozone-unfriendly chemicals, leading to global warming. He advised individuals purchasing refrigerators to consult experts to determine the refrigerants used and look for energy-efficient models.

Furthermore, he recommended hiring qualified technicians for refrigerator repairs to prevent the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere.

A good technician would ensure that any recovered gas is stored properly to avoid ozone layer depletion and global warming.

The President of the Royal Sanitation and Climate Change Ambassadors (ROSACA) Club at Ahantaman Girls' Senior High School, Miss Ekua Atta Kakra Quaye, pledged to continue educating the school and the public on the negative effects of ozone layer depletion and the importance of protecting it.