By Lodu William Odiya
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has called on citizens and other stakeholders to adopt environmentally friendly practices to help protect the ozone layer and reduce the release of substances that contribute to its depletion.
The ministry made the call during a workshop for national journalists and other stakeholders on the Montreal Protocol and the importance of protecting the ozone layer.
The workshop, held in Juba, aimed to equip journalists with accurate information about the ozone layer and strengthen their ability to educate the public about environmental protection.
The ministry said proper handling and management of equipment that may contain harmful gases is important in preventing further damage to the ozone layer.
The ozone layer is a region of the atmosphere containing high concentrations of ozone gas that helps shield the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It plays an important role in protecting human health, animals, plants, and the wider environment.
According to environmental experts, some human-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances can damage the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere.
These substances include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have been used in older refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, fire-extinguishing systems, and other applications.
When released into the atmosphere, the chemicals can contribute to the weakening of the ozone layer, allowing increased levels of harmful UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.
Higher exposure to UV radiation can pose risks to human health and can also affect agriculture, animals, and ecosystems.
The ministry therefore urged the public, businesses, and other users of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment to ensure that such systems are properly maintained, serviced and disposed of to prevent the unnecessary release of harmful substances.
The workshop also highlighted the role of the media in raising public awareness about environmental issues and encouraging communities to adopt practices that contribute to environmental conservation.
The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement designed to phase out the production and consumption of substances responsible for ozone depletion.
The ministry said continued public awareness and cooperation among government institutions, journalists, businesses, and communities are important to ensure that South Sudan contributes to global efforts to protect the ozone layer.
It called on citizens to take environmental protection seriously, saying individual and collective actions can contribute to safeguarding the atmosphere and protecting future generations.