25th November, 2021 On Wednesday November 24, the Ozone Division from the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of MEIDECC concluded its awareness campaign ‘Manuekaho ke ke lelea pe’ – an ozone layer protection outreach program for Vava’u Island Group. The campaign started with two communities – Taoa and Leimatu’a on Tuesday 22 followed by the community of Tu’anekivale on November 23.
Manuekaho ke ke lelea pe is a traditional early warning system that practices the significance of staying alert and being vigilant of the signs predicted by the presence of certain terrestrial animals as an opportunity for prompt preparations and precautionary measures, hence the reason for choosing it as the metaphorical title of the awareness campaign.
The ozone awareness program focused on the importance of protecting the ozone layer and the methods of safeguarding it.
“The Department of Climate Change cannot combat the causes of ozone depletion by itself, consequently the reason of collaborating with border control officers from HM Customs and technicians from the refrigeration and air condition sector as well as approaching all levels of the community,” said Mr. ‘Aloisio Fifita, the ozone team leader from the ministry of MEIDECC in Nuku’alofa.
He also emphasized that ozone layer depletion affects all forms of life thus; it is everyone’s responsibility to care for the earth’s one and only natural umbrella, the ozone layer.
The team from the Ozone Division included Mr. Sau Niulala the Deputy CEO from HM Customs – Trade Division and Mr. Fatafehi Fakatava from the Tonga Refrigeration Engineering Association.
The representatives spoke about the solutions for ozone depletion based on their experiences and expertise in this field of work.
Mr. Niulala presented on the role of customs at the border in the inspection procedures and upholding regulations to prevent illegal trade of ozone depleting substances. Mr. Fakatava spoke on the proper care for HCFC/HFC based equipment such as commercial refrigerators to minimize the leak of ozone depleting substances and other high global warming potential refrigerants as well as increasing the life span of the equipment.
The campaign was a collaboration between the Tongan Government and the United Nations Environmental Programme through Montreal Protocol Compliance Action Team.
ENDS
Issued by the: Department of Climate Change (MEIDECC)