Devon Evans, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
THE UNITED Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has listed Jamaica as the leading country in Latin America and the Caribbean in the area of ozone protection.
This positive report on Jamaica was presented yesterday by Artie Dubrie, the UNEP officer for the Latin America and Caribbean region. She made the disclosure while speaking at a press conference held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios.
PROUD OF JAMAICA
"Jamaica is our star child. It has been one of the most successful countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in respect to the Montreal Convention that deals with ozone layer protection. It is a very, very successful country and I am proud of Jamaica," she said.
Ms. Dubrie said that what is also impressive about Jamaica is that the country has taken the lead in the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
She said that although the Montreal Convention gives January 1, 2010 as the deadline for countries to stop importing vehicles and appliances with CFCs, Jamaica has decided to cease all such importation by January 2006. Ms. Dubrie added, "In fact, it will be the only country within the Latin America and Caribbean region to have taken on that position."
CHEMICAL CONVENTIONS
The press conference was called to discuss the outcome of a four-day sub-regional workshop on the implementation of chemical conventions which started in Kingston on Tuesday.
The workshop, which was sponsored by the Government of Switzerland in association with UNEP Chemicals and the Pesticides Control Authority in the Ministry of Health, looked at a number of international agreements on chemicals including pesticides and waste management, all aimed at protecting human health and the environment.
The workshop, which ended yesterday, was attended by approximately 30 representatives from nine English-speaking Caribbean countries.
