The National Ozone Unit (NOU) has invited several professional associations and private companies to participate in public displays to be held throughout September as part of this year's observances of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer - World Ozone Day.

The National Ozone Unit is based at the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment (MPHE) and assisted by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). World Ozone Day is celebrated each year on September 16. The theme for this year is "Universal participation: Ozone protection unifies the world."

This year, the National Ozone Unit has invited groups such as the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association, the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, and various cosmetic companies to discuss the destruction of the ozone layer, how the public is affected by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and ways in which people can reverse the destruction of the ozone layer and protect ourselves from UV radiation. The public displays will be open to the public from 9am-4pm on Saturday September 12 at Gulf City Mall, Friday September 18 at Piarco International Airport, and Friday September 25 at the Esplanade in Tobago.

In addition to this month's public displays, there are other activities planned to commemorate World Ozone Day. These various activities are:

1. An ozone poster design competition for primary and secondary school students. Students must design posters reflecting this year's theme and submit them to the EMA's office at 8 Elizabeth Street in St. Clair by October 9. Entry forms can be downloaded at http://www.ema.co.tt/ from September 16th 2009


2. An award ceremony and silent auction will be held on September 16 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Winning entries from previous ozone poster competitions will be framed and auctioned at the event. All proceeds will go to the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society. Also on that night, several of the organizations and individuals that have assisted the NOU's work to ensure Trinidad and Tobago's compliance with the Montreal Protocol will be officially recognized.


3. The annual World Ozone Day supplement will be released in the "Express" and "Guardian" newspapers on September 16


4. The national DVD that highlights the past, current and future work of the NOU is expected to be released later this year.

© EMA – September 8th  2009