International Ozone Day marked at Keetmans

THE Minister of Tourism and Environment, Willem Konjore, has called on Namibians to back national and global efforts aimed at eliminating ozone-depleting substances.

Speaking at the 20th International Ozone Day at Keetmanshoop over the weekend, Konjore said statistics show that Namibia has completely phased out the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) ahead of the 2010 deadline. However, he said, there were still a number of economic and technical challenges to be faced, despite national and global achievements to eliminate these substances.He urged industries to refrain from using technologies designed to use Chloro-Fluoro Carbons (CFCs), a refrigeration gas that is one of the main culprits in depleting earth’s protective ozone layer.Namibia and other countries in the southern hemisphere are most vulnerable to the effects of the hole in the ozone layer, the Minister said.With less ozone to shield earth from the harmful rays of the sun, skin cancer is on the increase.”Therefore, I advise you to wear protective clothes such as hats, caps, long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses and when possible to avoid outdoor activities during midday, when the sun’s rays are their strongest,” Konjore said.He praised Namibian industries that have taken up the challenge of being environmentally friendly in all their operations.”These actions demonstrate a true sense of social responsibility,” he said.However, he said, there were still a number of economic and technical challenges to be faced, despite national and global achievements to eliminate these substances.He urged industries to refrain from using technologies designed to use Chloro-Fluoro Carbons (CFCs), a refrigeration gas that is one of the main culprits in depleting earth’s protective ozone layer.Namibia and other countries in the southern hemisphere are most vulnerable to the effects of the hole in the ozone layer, the Minister said.With less ozone to shield earth from the harmful rays of the sun, skin cancer is on the increase.”Therefore, I advise you to wear protective clothes such as hats, caps, long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses and when possible to avoid outdoor activities during midday, when the sun’s rays are their strongest,” Konjore said.He praised Namibian industries that have taken up the challenge of being environmentally friendly in all their operations.”These actions demonstrate a true sense of social responsibility,” he said.