RI must help protect ozone layer: Expert

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

For many, the ozone layer is just something up there in the sky that has nothing to do with people's lives down here.

In fact, the ozone layer is vital to the survival of mankind.

Depletions in the ozone layer have led to increases in harmful ultra-violet B (UV-B) radiation that cause various serious diseases, such as skin cancers, cataracts and decreases in the body's immunity.

Millions of women around the globe are spending their money on cosmetic whitening products that contain protection against UV-B.

A World Health Organization report in 2002 showed that over 130,000 malignant melanomas occur globally each year, with 66,000 people dying as a result.

Children are the most vulnerable to UV radiation. Aside from the possibility of developing skin cancer, UV radiation can increase the risk of infection and decrease the effectiveness of vaccines on children.

The discovery of a massive hole in the ozone layer in 1974 at the South Pole shocked the world. People considered it to be a major environmental disaster caused by human-produced chemicals.

Although no ozone hole has been found over Indonesia as yet, the annual forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan might to a small extent be compounded by global warming, another phenomena that goes hand-in-hand with the depletion of the ozone layer.

"It should be understood that chemicals we use here may contribute to ozone depletion anywhere around the globe, and vice versa," explained Agus Hidayat of the Office of the State Minister for the Environment.

Agus's office, in conjunction with World Ozone Day, which is marked on Sept. 16 globally, is organizing a fun walk on Sept. 26 at the National Monument (Monas) Park.

"We need to increase people's awareness of the vital role of ozone. It won't be easy to make them understand, but we have to give it a try," he said.

The ozone layer is considered normal when its thickness measures about 300 Dobson Units (equal to three millimeters), while a hole occurs when its thickness declines to 100 Dobson Units, he said.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) is the most common ozone-depleting substance. It is used in refrigerators, air conditioners, spray cans, solvents and foams and the halon used in fire extinguishers.

The world's countries have signed several international agreements on ozone, including the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985 and the Montreal Protocol in 1987.

Liana Bratasida, an expert advisor to the state minister of the environment, said Indonesia, which ratified both conventions through Presidential Decree No. 23/1992, had set a target of phasing out 4,900 metric tons of CFC by the end of 2007.

Various programs are underway in the country to achieve the CFC phase-out target. At the moment, Indonesia has executed a total of 29 investment projects in the foam sector and 14 projects in the refrigeration sector.

The projects in these two sectors have helped reduced Indonesia's CFC production by 498 and 117 metric tons respectively.

The programs have been funded by the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund (MLF). Some US$6.4 has been approved by the MLF for projects here.

Liana said the ozone layer was important, and so was phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

"However, we have encountered problems in meeting developed countries' requests to phase out ozone-depleting substances," she said.

Liana said that the list of substances was added to at almost every international meeting.

"For a country like Indonesia, where there is a lack of both technology and money, we could well face further difficulties in meeting their requests," she said.