Zimbabwe: No to Ozone Depleting Substances - Nhema

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 17 September 2008 09/19/2008

GOVERNMENT has stepped up its efforts to mitigate the illegal trade in Ozone Depleting Substances and ensuring that they are not diverted to illegal uses, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Cde Francis Nhema, has said. He said with limited supplies of ODS's as a result of global reduction in production, the temptation by some dealers to make money through the illegal importation of these substances would undoubtedly increase. The Minister was speaking at a function to mark the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone layer and the launch of the Clean up the World Campaign. Cde Nhema said his ministry was working closely with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to monitor illegal importation of controlled substances into the country. "The Montreal Protocol has reduced Ozone Depleting Substances by over 95 percent, thereby contributing significantly to the protection of the global climate system. "Despite the successes, there are numerous challenges that Zimbabwe, as a Party to the Montreal Protocol, needs to address before we can be rest assured that the ozone layer will be safe for future generations," he said. Chief among the challenges, he said, was the need to sustain the current momentum for the phase out of ozone depleting substances in all the sectors. He said it required all end users to fully comply with the phase out obligations under the protocol, as there was still widespread use of chloroflouro carbons in refrigeration and air conditioning, methyl bromide in tobacco seedbeds, cut flowers and grain fumigation. Turning to "The Clean Up the World Campaign", Cde Nhema said, the event which will be commemorated under the theme "Start Today -- Save Tomorrow -- Clean Up Our Climate" mobilises an estimated 35 million volunteers from more than 110 countries annually. This, he said, made it one of the largest community based environmental campaigns in the world. Environment Africa programmes director, Mr Innocent Hodzonge said climate change was a reality and there was need to look at the action that each individual can undertake in their own capacity to mitigate its effects. "What is important is for every family and individual to make a contribution like growing one tree at least and if we all do that we can make a big difference," he said. Mr Hodzonge said the effects of climate change were being felt by the rise in temperatures and other adverse weather conditions. Enditem