What progress are we making to protect our planet?

As Earth Day comes and goes again for 2015,much more progress isneeded tocurve and mitigateclimate change and ozone depletion.

The reality is that the change is slow, marked by international agreements inching forwarddue tothe variousgeopolitical tensionsbut without international agreements on these criticalenvironmental issues, it seems we will never get anywhere.

Eventually, we will feel the positive impact of this global progress here in Manitoba.

The Montreal Protocol, signed in1987,is the most successful international environmental treaty ever. Protectingour environmentand human and animal health perhaps in the broadest perspective. There are 197 signatories to the protocol, including the Holy See and evenSyria,that have committed to reducing andeliminating the production of substances that are both ozone-depleting substances and contribute toclimate change.

This protocol has reduced global ozone depletion,which sees ripple effects through the decrease ofskin cancers, cataracts, immune suppressionand otherharmful side effects fromUV raysand climate change.

• These changes are monitored by theUnited Nations Ozone Secretariat

Coincidentally, in Bangkok this week, signatories to the Montreal Protocol are meeting atthe Open-Ended Working Group.This rendezvousincludes Canada,which, inco-operation withMexico and the United States, hascollectively introduced an important amendment to beconsidered for discussion at the next MontrealProtocol meeting scheduled for November2015 in Dubai.

Reduction of HFCsan international issue

The proposed amendment would add hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the protocoland recommenda global phase-down of this potent greenhouse gas.

It is estimated thatHFCs will contribute up to 25 to 30 per centofall greenhouse gases by 2050 if left unregulated or controlled internationally.

This alone would have a major influence on our future climate. Domestically,Environment Canada isleading acurrentinitiative to restrict the use of HFCs and is in the consultation stage with stakeholders.

HFCs are used primarily in refrigeration and air conditioning systems as the refrigerant allowing theequipment to cool orblow cold air. Examples are auto air conditioner, fridges, freezers, beveragevending machines, office and building airconditioners and geothermal heat pumps to name a few.

HFCsare contained within the equipment but when hoses orfittings in the equipment fail, the HFCs escape intothe air and begin their destructive path in the environment.

HFCs are also used in many other applications such as solvents, some foams, within pharmaceuticalproducts, and as acarrier gas in various aerosol products from air horns to body sprays and computerdusting consumer products.

Local advancements

Locally, theManitoba Ozone Protection Industry Association (MOPIA) was created in 1994 and is unique to the world as a not-for-profit, self-sufficient (nodependence on annual government funds), multi-stakeholder organization.

MOPIA provides amultitude of services to the industrysectors affected by provincial, national and internationalhalocarbon regulations. This includes technician training andcertification for persons working with regulated refrigerants and equipment in our province, toawareness and public outreach via different platforms (i.e. web, on-site presentations).

MOPIA's responsibilities will increase as inevitable regulatory restrictions on HFCs are implemented andas the path to new technologies continues to emerge. Technicians will have to become aware andtrained on the innovations of thenew equipment which will include potentially new safety protocolsand techniques for servicing the various equipment.

Manitobans will begin to see new types of refrigerants emerge in their air conditioners and othersystems as the pressure to restrict HFCs becomes a reality.

Carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)have emerged as the leading refrigerant alternatives. In fact, some automobilesalready have HFOs such as the Jeep Cherokee and some GM models. Red River College has among thefirst HFC-free refrigerant beverage vending machines actively in use.

Refrigerators may also soon contain hydrocarbons, as is common practice inmuch of Asia and Europe. Some of these refrigerants and equipment are designed to be more energyefficient too, leading to multiple environmental benefits.

Consumers should be aware that the price of the new equipment and refrigerants may initially besignificantly higher, atleast until manufacturers of equipment ramp up production and globalcompetition and market forces become prominent.

Manitoba contractors and auto shops will be facedwith challenges such as the purchase of new recovery equipment and possible training for their servicetechnicians.

All these measures are for purposes of progress and the protection of our environment.

Mark Miller is the executive director of MOPIAagovernment-appointed multi-stakeholder, non-partisan, not-for-profitorganization designed tofosterenvironmental protection of the stratospheric ozone layer and to mitigate climate change.