By Emmanuel Gamson
Ketan (W/R), Oct. 16, GNA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says updates from a Scientific Assessment Panel on the Montreal Protocol (MP) reveals that the ozone layer is steadily recovering from depletion with conditions expected to return to the 1980 levels by 2066.
It said since the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which came into force in 1989, research had suggested that the rate at which the ozone layer was being depleted had slowed down.
Mr Joseph Amankwa Baffoe, Acting Director of Climate Change and Ozone Department, EPA, projected that the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere would peak by the middle of the century, if all the parties to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments were complied with.
He said this at a seminar organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for students of Ahantaman Girls’ Senior High School, at Ketan in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region.
The event was part of campaigns being organised by the EPA and UNDP to raise awareness and educate the public on critical issues on the ozone and climate change.
Mr Baffoe said: “It is good for us because we are reducing ozone depletion and this calls for our collective efforts and collaboration to achieve all the protocols.”
He explained that the ozone layer absorbed most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation emerging from the sun and shielded plant and animal lives from the radiation, which could be very damaging.
He stated that the environmental effects of increased exposure to the ultraviolet rays adversely affected growth, reproduction and production of phytoplankton, the primary element in food chain in oceans, thereby reducing fish stocks.
“Any damage to the ozone layer allowed more ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface of the sun which can have detrimental effects on both human, plants and animal lives,” The Ag. Director added.
On some solutions to the ozone depletion, Mr Baffoe said Ghana needed to fully implement the Montreal Protocol on reducing the production, and consumption of ozone depleting gases, avoid products with ozone-depleting substances like sprays, blowing agents for foams, hair sprays and cleaning products.
He also advocated the use of refrigerators and air conditions that were ozone-depleting friendly to help preserve the ozone layer.
Ms Ekua Atta Kakra Quaye, the President of the Royal Sanitation and Climate Change Ambassador at Ahantaman Girls’ SHS, said they had gained a deeper knowledge and understanding on the critical issues of ozone depletion, and pledged to intensify the education on human activities that had negative consequences on the planet.
GNA