What is Ozone?
Ozone is exceedingly rare in our atmosphere, averaging about 3 molecules of ozone for
every ten million air molecules. Nonetheless, atmospheric ozone plays vital roles that
belie its small numbers. Ozone is mainly found in two regions of the Earth's atmosphere.
Most ozone (good ozone) (about 90%) resides in a layer between approximately 10 and
50 kilometers (about 6 to 30 miles) above the Earth's surface, in the region of the
atmosphere called the stratosphere. This stratospheric ozone is commonly known as the
"ozone layer." The remaining ozone(bad ozone( man made comprises mostly of
pollutants)) is in the lower region of the atmosphere, the troposphere, which extends
from the Earth's surface up to about 10 kilometers.
The figure below shows this distribution of ozone in the atmosphere.
While the ozone in these two regions is chemically identical (both consist of three
oxygen atoms and have the chemical formula "O3"), the ozone molecules have very
different effects on humans and other living things depending upon their location.
Stratospheric ozone (GOOD OZONE) plays a beneficial role by absorbing most of the
biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight called UV-B. ( the most harmful radiation to
humans and plants, has a wavelength of 280-315 nanometers, as measured on the
electromagnetic spectrum), allowing only a small amount to reach the Earth's surface.
The absorption of UV radiation by ozone creates a source of heat, which actually forms
the stratosphere itself (a region in which the temperature rises as one goes to higher
altitudes). Ozone thus plays a key role in the temperature structure of the Earth's
atmosphere.
1.Introduction
Evidence that human activities affect the ozone layer has been building up over the last
20 years, ever since scientists first suggested in 1970 that the release of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFC’s Methyl Bromide and others into the atmosphere
could reduce the amount of ozone over our heads.
2. Montreal Protocol
As a result of the many concerns that a thinning ozone layer poses to society and the
environment, the U.S. government and many international agencies have been
relatively active in attempting to monitor, regulate, and solve the problem. Perhaps the
most well known acts to help control the depletion of the ozone layer were the
Montreal Protocol, and the London Ozone amendment to the Montreal Protocol. On
September 14, 1987, delegates from 43 countries around the world concerned about
the Depletion of the Ozone Layer met to discuss threats of the thinning ozone layer. This
was a landmark agreement that identifies the major Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
and established a timetable for reduction and eventual elimination of the production
and consumption world-wide.
In 1994, the General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of
the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. States were invited
to devote the Day to promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the
Protocol and its amendments.
After much discussion, the delegates agreed to halt production and consumption of
CFCs at 1986 levels by the year 1990. In addition, nations also agreed to reduce CFCs 20
percent by January 1, 1994 and an additional 30 percent by January 1, 1999 . This was
known as the Montreal Protocol. Even though this protocol helped the state of the
ozone layer, the results were not significant enough. Thus, shortly after the
implementation of the protocol, in 1990, it was amended. This amendment recruited
more countries, bringing the total number involved to almost 100. The new goals were
to eliminate the use of all CFCs by the year 2000, and to help set up a fund so that
developing countries may find alternates to using CFCs. The name of this amendment
was the London Ozone Agreement. Thus, many nations recognized the need for rapid
and dramatic action in fighting the war with CFC responsible ozone depletion.
Ninety-six (96) chemicals are presently controlled by the Montreal Protocol,
including:Halo-carbons, notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Halons. CFCs were
discovered in 1928 and were considered wonder gases because they are long-lived, nontoxic, non-corrosive, and non-flammable, also versatile and from the 1960’s were
increasingly used in refrigerators, air-conditions, spray cans solvents, foams and other
applications. CFC-11 remains in the atmosphere for 50 years, CFC-12 for 102 years, CFC115 for 1700 years, Halon 1301 is used primarily in fire extinguishers and has an
Atmospheric life-time of 65 years
Carbon tetrachloride is used as a solvent and takes about 42 years to break down in the
atmosphere.Methyl chloroform (1,1,1-trichloroethane) is also used as solvent
Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) are not widely used, but they have been included
under the Protocol to prevent any new uses.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were developed as the first major replacement for
CFCs. While much less destructive than CFCs, HCFCs also contribute to ozone depletion.
They have an atmospheric lifetime of about 1.4 to 19.5 years.
In 1994, the General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of
the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. States were invited
to devote the Day to promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the
Protocol and its amendments.
Role of Seychelles towards the Montreal Protocol
In January 1993 Seychelles joined some 200 countries under the Montreal Protocol
Umbrella, and in August 2002 Seychelles accepted or ratify the last of the Montreal
Protocol Binding instrument which are the BEIJING & MONTREAL AMENDMENT.
In July 1999, the first control measure applicable to developing countries under the
Montreal Protocol came into effect. This was the freeze of CFCs at the average
consumption and production levels of 1995-1997. During subsequent years developing
count -tries were committed to meet significant reduction targets for CFCs and other
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). To meet these phase out deadlines, developing
countries need to undertake a comprehensive national phase-out programme
including the establishment of appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as
implementing monitoring and control tools. This imply that the controls on the supply of
ODS will play an important role in these compliance measures. Another important
element is the establishment of import & export Licensing System . This is mandatory
for all Parties to the Montreal Protocol because those systems determine the accuracy
and completeness of national ODS Consumption Data which are key tools to help
measure and ensure compliance of the Protocol.
Ratification by Seychelles
Vienna
Convention
Montreal
Protocol
London
Copenhagen Montreal
Beijing
Amendment Amendment Amendment Amendment
06.01.1993
(Ac)
06.01.1993
(Ac)
06.01.1993
(Ac)
27.05.1993
(R)
28.08.2002
(Ac)
28.08.2002
(Ac)
Seychelles and The Montreal Protocol:
The Seychelles signed and ratified all the amendments to the Montreal Protocol in 1993.
Under The Montreal Protocol, Seychelles has had to put in place a mechanism
Refrigerant Management Plan (RMP) for the control of Ozone Depleting Substances,
namely Refrigerant Gases and the Consumption of gas R12 mainly in the Refrigerant
Sector
Actions taken by the Seychelles

Enforcement (Environment Act 1994, Environment Protection (Ozone)
Regulation 2000 and amended in September 2010 to include phase-out
of all HCFCs and the establishment of an Ozone Unit in the Ministry of
Environment and Natural Resources)

licensing, monitoring and control of ODS; such as imposition of quotas to
import controlled refrigerant Gas- (see below) control of importation,
enforce the ‘Phase out’ period with the year 2005 as ‘zero’ consumption
of gas R-12/ or compound of CFC. Mainly (refrigerators)

Under Environment Protection (Ozone ) Regulations 2000 phase-out of
Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFCs) or compound of CFCs by 2007
 Monitor & control types of Refrigerant in the country.
 Public Awareness (Importers, Refrigerant Technicians, and Public).
 collection of data and reporting mechanism.
Under Environment Protection (Ozone ) Regulations 2010

‘Phase out’ period with the year 2015 as ‘zero’ consumption of gas R-22
or compound of HCFC which is used mainly in Airconditions units chillers.

prevention of illegal trade and;

Collection of data and reporting mechanism.

Training on the usage of Refrigerant gases.

Set up a Refrigerant Association
 Detecting illegal trade with ODS & ODS-based products.
 Reporting legal & illegal trade as well as seizures to Ozone Secretariat
 Seizing illegal imports including storage & disposal.
 Supporting other enforcement agencies (custom officers, refrigerant

technicians) for identification on ODS & ODS-based products through
trainings.
Since 2001 continuous training of custom officers to ensure that they are conversant on
detection of illegal trade by importers.
Training of refrigerant technicians in Good refrigerant Management Plan
5.Controlled Substances not allowed into Seychelles
CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-115,CFC-13, CFC-111, CFC- 112, CFC-211-217,
Mixtures thereof (500-502) RB-276, R407A Halon 1211, 1301, 2402
6. Refrigerant gas allowed into the country
R-22, R-134a, R-600a, R-410, R-404C, R-407C,
R-410B, R-404A, and R-507A
,
In 1987 the recognition of the potential for chlorine and bromine to destroy
stratospheric ozone led to an international agreement (The United Nations Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) to reduce the global production
of ozone-depleting substances. Since then, new global observations of significant ozone
depletion have prompted amendments to strengthen the treaty. The 1992 Copenhagen
Amendments call for a ban on production of the most damaging compounds by 1996.
The figure shows past and projected future stratospheric abundances of chlorine and
bromine: (a) without the Protocol; (b) under the Protocol's original provisions; and (c)
under the Copenhagen Amendments now in force. Without the Montreal Protocol and
its Amendments, continuing human use of CFCs and other compounds would have
tripled the stratospheric abundances of chlorine and bromine by about the year 2050.
Current scientific understanding indicates that such increases would have led to global
ozone depletion very much larger than observed today. In contrast, under current
international agreements, which are now reducing and will eventually eliminate human
emissions of ozone-depleting gases, the stratospheric abundances of chlorine and
bromine are expected to reach their maximum within a few years and then slowly
decline. All other things being equal, the ozone layer is expected to return to normal by
the middle of the next century. In summary, record low ozone levels have been
observed in recent years, substantially larger future global depletions in ozone would
have been highly likely without reductions in human emissions of ozone-depleting
gases. However, worldwide compliance with current international agreements is rapidly
reducing the yearly emissions of these compounds. As these emissions cease, the ozone
layer will gradually improve over the next several decades. The recovery of the ozone
layer will be gradual because of the long times required for CFCs to be removed from
the atmosphere.
Summary
Take Action: Teamwork does the trick
Although the earth will be able to “heal” itself if the CFC level continues to stay as it is,
the depletion of the ozone layer is still a problem that society should be concerned with.
In order for earth to repair the damage humans have posed on the ozone layer, society
must take an active role. There are many tasks individuals can involve themselves in to
help combat the problem of ozone depletion.
1. First of all, one can simply check product labels for ozone friendly status. ” A
collaborative effort by society not using products with CFCs is a major step
toward the healing of the ozone layer.
2. When individuals must dispose of products with refrigerants in them, certain
actions must be taken in order to prevent the CFCs from escaping from the
disposed product. For example, when an agency, such as a waste hauling
company, comes to pick up the unwanted appliance, check to make sure
refrigerant-recovery equipment is used by the agency. This equipment allows
for the disposal of refrigerants without damage to the ozone layer.
Society can also help the problem of ozone depletion through education, as well as
through various donations. If individuals contribute time or money to environmental
agencies focused on healing the ozone layer, the agencies will be able to organize
activities promoting the understanding of the ozone problem. If society is educated
through these means, more individual efforts will be taken to make “ozone smart”
decisions such as using “ozone friendly” products.
Although thinning ozone may not directly affect the generation growing up today,
future generations depend on the actions taken now.
Clearly, ozone depletion is a dangerous problem due to possible disease outbreaks and
famine as a result of increased UV-B radiation. However, society can collectively
attempt to combat this problem by relatively simple means such as education and the
practice of “ozone smart” behavior. For if society acts now, future generations will be
handed a safe and healthy planet.
SIMPLE TIPS TO MAKE A VIDEO USING WINDOWS MOVIE
MAKER
Make a movie in four simple steps
With Windows Movie Maker in Windows Vista, you can quickly go from just watching movies
to making your own great-looking home movies and sharing them with your family and friends.
Make your own movies in Windows Movie Maker
Step 1: Get video, digital photos, and music into Windows Movie Maker
You need to import the video, digital photos, and music that you want to use in your movie.
There are two ways to get this digital media into Windows Movie Maker:


Import video directly from your digital video (DV) camera. This is what you’d do if you
taped your family vacation and wanted to get the footage onto your computer and edit out
the boring parts.
Import existing video files, digital photos, or music that’s already on your computer. You
might want to use existing digital media files in your movie. If you only want to include
your digital photos in your movie, this is the way you’d do it.
For more information about importing media into Windows Movie Maker, see Import video from
a videotape and Import video files, pictures, and audio.
Video, a digital photo, and music that’s been imported into Windows Movie Maker
Top of page
Edit without worry
When you make changes in Windows Movie Maker, the original files aren’t changed. So try
different things when you’re making your movie—don’t worry, the original source files are safe.
Step 2: Start editing
After you’ve got your files in Windows Movie Maker, you can start editing.
Add items to the storyboard/timeline. Drag the videos, pictures, and music you want to use from
the contents area to the storyboard/timeline. Everything that appears on the storyboard/timeline
will be in your final movie.
Trim and arrange items on the storyboard/timeline. Next, trim the video clips on the
storyboard/timeline to hide any video that you don’t want to show in your final movie. You can
also move clips from one spot to another, split clips, or combine clips. For more information
about splitting or combining clips, see Work with clips.
Top of page
Step 3: Add titles, transitions, and effects
Now, it’s time to take your movie to the next level by adding special, personalizing touches, such
as titles, transitions, and effects.
Titles and credits. You might want to add a title at the beginning of your movie that tells people a
little bit about your movie, such as when, where, and what happened. And you can add credits at
the end of your movie to tell the world who created and starred in it (just like you see in movie
theaters and on DVDs). For more information about adding titles and credits to your movie, see
Add movie titles and credits.
Transitions. To make your movie look nice when one video or picture ends and another begins to
play, add transitions between pictures, videos, and titles on the storyboard. There are more than
sixty different transitions in Windows Movie Maker to choose from, so play around and use the
transitions that look nice to you.
Effects. Finally, you might want to add some special effects to videos and pictures on the
storyboard that’ll give your movie the appearance you want. For example, add one of the Film
Age effects make it look like an old-time movie. For more information about using transitions
and effects in Windows Movie Maker, see Add transitions and effects to pictures and video.
Here’s a picture that shows different transitions, effects, titles, and credits that are added to the storyboard
Narration. You can take it a step further by adding a narration to tell your story in your own
words. This works well if you’re making a movie that just has digital photos. To learn how to add
an audio narration in Windows Movie Maker, see Add narration to your movie.
Remember, you can preview your project at any time by clicking the Play button
in Windows Movie Maker.
under the preview monitor
More tips go to: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Make-a-movie-in-four-simple-steps
http://presentationsoft.about.com/.../moviemaker/Windows_Movie_Maker_Free_and_Easy_Tut
orials_and_Tips.htm