The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Barbara Thomson, will on the 21st of September 2016 host the International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer, in Upington, Northern Cape Province.
This day has been marked annually by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) since the proclamation of the day by the United Nations General Assembly on 19 December 1994 to commemorate the date in 1987 when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed.
The theme for the 2016 celebrations is, “Ozone and climate: Restored by a world united” the theme is supported by the slogan, “Working towards reducing global-warming HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.”
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as the focal point for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, has a Constitutional responsibility to protect the right of all South Africans to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being, and to protect the environment through legislative and other measures that prevent, amongst others, air pollution and ecological degradation.
On this day, the department will raise awareness on the effects of the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight on human health and the need to consider not just environmental factors, like the ozone layer but also to encourage, inform and prepare the learners and the community to undertake protection from harmful UV radiation from the sun.
Media are invited to attend as follows:
Date: 21 September 2016
Time: 8h30 to 16h00
Venue: Robert Gunda, Kings Street, Paballelo, Upington, 8801.
To RSVP please contact:
Dimakatso Tsutsubi
Tel: 012 399 9974
Cell: 072 471 3652
E-mail: DTsutsubi@environment.gov.za
Daniel Boya
Tel: 012 399 9987
E-mail: dboya@environment.gov.za
For Media queries please contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
