World request for ozone saving in RI too demanding
World request for ozone saving in RI too demanding
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.