Special Announcement / Dead line for the Journalist Competition Extended UNEP OzonAction is pleased to announce the extension of the dead line for the entries for the journalist competition till 31st December 2009 . The competition is now open to the journalists of all ages. As the stories on Ozone layer protection and climate change unfold, UNEP would like to assess and reward Journalists talents to convey these stories effectively. Please rush your entries.Learn more at >> http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/ozone2climate/journalists_competition.pdf
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In this issue:
1- WMO Antarctic Ozone Bulletins: 2009
2- Unlayering of the Ozone: An Earth Sans Sunscreen
3- EPA Signs Two Rules to Further Protect Ozone Layer
4- Public Record: Scrap Dealers Ordered to Clean up by EPA
5- Government Bans Refrigerant Materials (Philippines)

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GLOBAL

1- WMO Antarctic Ozone Bulletins: 2009
The meteorological conditions in the Antarctic stratosphere found during the austral winter (June-August) set the stage for the annually recurring ozone hole. Low temperatures lead to the formation of clouds in the stratosphere, so-called polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs).
The amount of water vapour in the stratosphere is very low, only 5 out of one million air molecules are water molecules. This means that under normal conditions there are no clouds in the stratosphere. However, when the temperature drops below -78°C, clouds that consist of a mixture of water and nitric acid start to form. These clouds are called PSCs of type I. On the surface of particles in the cloud, chemical reactions occur that transform passive and innocuous halogen compounds (e.g. HCl and HBr) into so-called active chlorine and bromine species (e.g. ClO and BrO). These active forms of chlorine and bromine cause rapid ozone loss in sun-lit conditions through catalytic cycles where one molecule of ClO can destroy thousands of ozone molecules before it is passivated through the reaction with nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
When temperatures drop below -85°C, clouds that consist of pure water ice will form. These ice clouds are called PSCs of type II. Particles in both cloud types can grow so large that they no longer float in the air but fall out of the stratosphere. In doing so they bring nitric acid with them. Nitric acid is a reservoir that liberates NO2 under sunlit conditions. If NO2 is physically removed from the stratosphere (a process called denitrification), active chlorine and bromine can destroy many more ozone molecules before they are passivated. The formation of ice clouds will lead to more severe ozone loss than that caused by PSC type I alone since halogen species are more effectively activated on the surfaces of the larger ice particles.
The Antarctic polar vortex is a large low-pressure system where high velocity winds (polar jet) in the stratosphere circle the Antarctic continent. Figure 1 depicts the vortex on 1, 8 and 17 August 2009. The vortex is less concentric than at the same time last year (see figure caption on next page). The region poleward of the polar jet includes the lowest temperatures and the largest ozone losses that occur anywhere in the world. During early August, information on meteorological parameters and measurements from ground
stations, balloon sondes and satellites of ozone and other constituents can provide some insight into the development of the polar vortex and hence the ozone hole later in the season.
The situation with annually recurring Antarctic ozone holes is expected to continue as long as the stratosphere contains an excess of ozone depleting substances. As stated in the Executive Summary of the 2006 edition of the WMO/UNEP Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion, severe Antarctic ozone holes are expected to form during the next couple of decades.
For more information on the Antarctic ozone hole and ozone loss in general the reader is referred to the WMO ozone web page: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/ozone/index.html
SOURCE: WMO, November 2009,
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/WMOAntarcticOzoneBulletins2009.html

2- Unlayering of the Ozone: An Earth Sans Sunscreen
" Chlorofluorocarbons and allied substances are, however, very stable, so their atmospheric concentration drops very slowly and will not reduce to pre-ozone hole values until at least 2070. It is likely to be several more years before we can be confident that the ozone hole is shrinking and many decades before spring-time ozone levels return to those of the early 1970s."
The formation of the Antarctic ozone hole is a graphic demonstration of how rapidly we can change the atmosphere of our planet. There are many other environmental issues facing us today and we must link them together to understand and debate the underlying causes, rather than treat each issue in isolation. Antarctica is a wonderful continent. Glaciers carve their way to the sea where the waters teem with penguins and whales. Although 70 per cent of the world's fresh water resides in the polar ice cap, the continent is a veritable desert, with liquid water in short supply. The frozen ice takes on many shades, from the brilliant white of freshly fallen snow to the deep indigo at the bottom of a gaping crevasse. This land of contrasts is where the Antarctic ozone hole was discovered.
Ozone is a form of oxygen, similar to the gas that we breathe, but with three atoms instead of two. This makes it highly reactive, and in high concentration it is a toxic gas. When formed by air pollution near the surface it can trigger asthma attacks, but high in the atmosphere it forms a protective sun-shield. This is the ozone layer, a region from about 10 to 35 kilometres in altitude, where the natural concentration of ozone is highest. Ozone forms at this level in the stratosphere through the action of ultraviolet sunlight on oxygen gas, and in the process the most harmful ultraviolet radiation is totally absorbed. Some ultraviolet light does reach the surface, and the intensity is controlled by the amount of ozone-the more ozone the less ultraviolet, and vice-versa. With a thinning ozone layer more ultraviolet light reaches the surface, exposing us to a greater risk of sunburn, skin cancers or cataracts of the eye.
Ozone observation in the Antarctic began over fifty years ago with the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58. As part of this scientific endeavour, a network of observatories was set up across Antarctica, several of which measured ozone. One of the first to report was the British research station Halley, and the results from the first year of operation showed a surprising difference to those from the equivalent latitude in the Arctic. This was soon recognized as being due to a different stratospheric circulation in the atmosphere above the two poles: in the north the circulation is relatively complex, whilst in the south it is relatively simple with a strong, long lasting winter polar vortex or a large-scale persistent cyclone.
Ozone observations at Halley continued using the same type of instrument, the Dobson ozone spectrophotometer, designed in the 1920s by an Oxford professor of physics, Gordon Dobson; it remains the standard for ozone observations today. The instrument uses ultraviolet light from the sun coming through the ozone layer to measure the amount of ozone. It is very much a manual instrument, and the calculations required to extract the ozone amount from the observations are quite complex, to the extent that in the 1970s a stack of unreduced observations began to build up.
When I joined the British Antarctic Survey, one of my first jobs was to write computer programmes that would process the observations once they were entered into electronic form. Making sure that the entered data was correct was the first part of the process, followed by verifying the software. At about the same time, concern was growing that spray cans and the Concorde supersonic airplane could destroy the ozone layer. When the British Antarctic Survey held its Open Day, it seemed a good opportunity to reassure the public that the ozone layer above Antarctica had not changed. Surprisingly, the data seemed to show that the spring-time ozone values of that year were much lower than they had been a decade earlier, but in the meantime I had yet to process the intervening data. Once this was done, it was obvious that there was a systematic effect, giving rise to the paper that Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and I wrote, announcing an unexpected effect over Antarctica.
Elsewhere in Antarctica, other observatories had continued to make ozone measurements on a sporadic basis, but they lacked the long-term continuity of the same instrumental technique that was available at Halley. This was a key factor in our discovery, and set a valuable lesson for monitoring the environment. In addition, the centre of the ozone hole is often offset towards the Atlantic, allowing Halley to start making observations several weeks before the sun rose high enough at the South Pole. Once the paper was published in Nature, satellite data was reprocessed to reveal an "ozone hole" over the Southern continent. Whilst satellites give an excellent overview of the changes within the ozone layer, ground-based observations are still needed to provide them with an accurate calibration.
Today we know that this Antarctic ozone hole is caused by chlorine and bromine from ozone-depleting chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. The reason for the particularly severe ozone depletion over Antarctica lies with its stable polar vortex, which makes the Antarctic ozone layer roughly ten degrees colder than that in the Arctic. This means that unusual clouds form widely in the Antarctic ozone layer during the winter, and chemistry on the surfaces within these clouds conditions the ozone-depleting chemicals. When sunlight returns, very efficient photocatalytic reactions take place which destroy ozone.
The Montreal Protocol has been a very effective response to the shocking and rapid change in the ozone layer over Antarctica. Now ratified by all but one of the UN Member States, it is having a clear effect in reducing the amount of ozone-destroying substances in the atmosphere. CFCs and allied substances are, however, very stable, so their atmospheric concentration drops very slowly and will not reduce to pre-ozone hole values until at least 2070. It is likely to be several more years before we can be confident that the ozone hole is shrinking and many decades before spring-time ozone levels return to those of the early 1970s. One unintended consequence of the reduction in ozone-destroying substances has been its significant effect on reducing global warming, as the substances are often also powerful greenhouse gases.
Treating the ozone hole was relatively straightforward, with both general acceptance of the need to change and the possibility of alternative products. Another environmental symptom-that of climate change-is currently generating much debate, but the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is rising at the worst-case rate predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In addition, there are many other global symptoms of environmental stress ranging from water and food shortages and fishery collapses to deforestation habitat destruction, amongst others.
When a doctor treats a patient with an illness, it is essential that all the symptoms are taken into account in making a diagnosis. It must be exactly the same when we are looking after the health of our own planet. My diagnosis is that we must urgently debate and act on reducing our effect on the planet, otherwise evermore symptoms will appear. Such reduction could be achieved through decreasing the consumption of our planet's resources, particularly reducing consumption amongst the developed nations; but we are also likely to need to reduce our own numbers if we are to sustain a healthy planet in the long term. How to do so is the big debate that we must urgently conduct if we are to avoid a fate such as the inhabitants of Easter Island, who used up all their resources. Unfortunately, these warnings, like those of Cassandra, are unlikely to be heeded and it may require a major disaster before action is taken. The United Nations is one forum where the debate should begin.
SOURCE: UN Chronicle, By Jonathan Shanklin, http://www.un.org:80/wcm/content/site/chronicle/lang/en/home/archive/Issues2009/pid/5087

NORTH AMERICA

3- EPA Signs Two Rules to Further Protect Ozone Layer
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced two final rules that will further cut ozone-depleting pollutants, protecting the Earth's ozone layer and reducing harmful greenhouse gases.
The rules reduce the availability and use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are primarily used as refrigerants and harm the ozone layer. A diminished ozone layer allows more radiation to reach the Earth's surface, leading to serious health effects, such as skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems.
The first rule prohibits the use of specific HCFCs to manufacture new air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment beginning in 2010, while allowing limited HCFC use to service existing equipment. The second rule prohibits the sale, distribution, and import of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances and their components containing certain HCFCs that are manufactured or imported after January 1, 2010. The rulemakings protect the ozone layer by decreasing the availability of these compounds as well as the demand for newly-produced equipment containing HCFCs.
These rules advance U.S. compliance under the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Contact: Deb Berlin, berlin.deb@epa.gov
SOURCE: US EPA, Release date:11 December 2009, http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/rulesoverview.html

4- Public record: Scrap Dealers Ordered to Clean up by EPA
SOURCE: StarTribune.com, By Bozo the Clown, 18 November 2009, http://www.startribune.com/blogs/70400667.html?elr=KArksLckD8E
QDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

SOUTH ASIA

5- Government Bans Refrigerant Materials (Philippines)
SOURCE: Manila Standard Today, 14 December 2009, Othel V. Campos, http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2009/december/14/news7.isx&d=/2009/december/14

READING
>> INECE special report on climate compliance
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15
INECE's Special Report on Climate Compliance explains the role of compliance and enforcement in ensuring effective implementation of domestic and international policies to mitigate climate change. The Special Report features an overview of the argument for compliance in a climate policy context, analysis of the role of compliance in assuring environmental and financial integrity of carbon markets, a review of compliance mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol, lessons from the Montreal Protocol, practical strategies for improving national implementation of climate requirements, and country case studies.
Read/Download the Special Report on Climate Compliancehttp://www.inece.org/climate/

>>California Takes another Step to Reducing GHG Emissions.
California rule clamps down on leaks of potent greenhouse gases from large refrigeration systems. Air Resources Board unanimously votes to adopt nation-leading measure. SOURCE: Air Ressources Board, 9 December 2009, http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/rss/displaypost.php?pno=3502

VIDEO
>> Greenfreeze and SolarChill, a video on the Greenfreeze domestic refrigerators and SolarChill vaccine cooler, both which replace CFCs or HFCs by natural refrigerants. Both have links to the climate dimension of the Montreal Protocol. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFl2cyW49uw

Special Announcement /

Just released ! Climate Benefit from Ozone Layer Protection: "Low Hanging Fruits"
a new booklet which will be of interest to anyone involved in cross-cutting issues between the ozone protection and climate protection communities, just released by the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN DPI) -New York. The booklet is based on a briefing for associated Non-Governmental Organisations on the theme of The Ozone Layer and Climate Change, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA on 18 June 2009, was organized by DPI's NGO Section in cooperation with the UNEP - OzonAction Branch. It highlighted the important achievements made to protect the ozone layer and prevent climate change. It also identified the obstacles, which remain to be addressed by the global community, including those to be discussed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009. Read Download the Booklet ...
http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/information/mmcfiles/6318-e-DPINGObklt09.pdf
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Dead line for the Journalist Competition Extended UNEP OzonAction is pleased to announce the extension of the dead line for the entries for the journalist competition till 31st December 2009 . The competition is now open to the journalists of all ages. As the stories on Ozone layer protection and climate change unfold, UNEP would like to assess and reward Journalists talents to convey these stories effectively. Please rush your entries.Learn more at >> http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/ozone2climate/journalists_competition.pdf
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In this issue:
1- Up Grading Ozone Layer Treaty to Assist in Combating Climate Change Key Issue at International Meeting in Egypt
2- Significant Ozone Hole Remains Over Antarctica
3- Science finds greenhouse gases even stronger than CO2, methane
4- Miami Import Firm, President Plead Guilty to Smuggling 1.4 Million Kilos of HCFC-22

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GLOBAL
1- Up Grading Ozone Layer Treaty to Assist in Combating Climate Change Key Issue at International Meeting in Egypt
21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer Nairobi/ Port Ghalib, 2 November 2009 -- Accelerating the contribution of a treaty to protect the ozone layer towards meeting the climate change challenge will take place at the 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in the Red Sea resort of Port Ghalib, Egypt, from 4-8 November.
Representatives from over 190 countries attending the international conference will assess whether a group of synthetic gases known as hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) might be better controlled under the Montreal Protocol rather than the Kyoto Protocol, the climate change treaty.
The Montreal Protocol is the treaty established to phase-out chemicals that damage the stratospheric ozone layer, the protective shield that filters out harmful levels of the sun's ultra violet rays.
Scientists estimate that if HFCs become the replacement chemicals of choice for another group of ozone-depleting substances, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), in refrigeration, mobile air conditioning units and foams over the coming decades, their contribution to global warming could rise sharply. Indeed, under one scenario, HFCs could by 2050 be contributing the equivalent of 45 percent of C02 emissions.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: "The Montreal Protocol is without doubt one of the most successful multilateral environmental agreements. That success is underlined by the fact that for the first time in history, all countries in the world will be represented in Egypt as a result of the Montreal Protocol achieving universal ratification in 2009."
"This universal support reflects not only the Montreal Protocol's success in phasing out over 97 percent of the controlled substances that damage the ozone layer, but an understanding that this phase-out has also contributed in sparing the planet a significant level of global warming," he added.
The meeting will have before them two amendments to bring these replacement chemicals under the ozone agreements. The first proposal is from Mauritius and the Federated States of Micronesia, and the second one from Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Marco González, Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat said: "The 21st Meeting of the Parties will address important issues for the protection of the ozone layer and related efforts to further contribute to mitigate climate change. The sound environmental management of existing banks of ozone depleting substances as well as the proposed amendments to address HFCs under the Montreal Protocol are clear signals of the Parties' new initiatives to address both issues."
Mr. Steiner noted that the increased use of HFCs as replacement chemicals now represent a new challenge in terms of climate change. He added: "I look forward to a full and frank discussion on what countries consider the next steps and the best way forward to address these high global-warming potential gases. Port Ghalib must send a clear signal that nations are determined to rapidly find not only ozone-friendly but also climate friendly alternatives and to assist developing economies in accessing these."
These discussions on the proposals come some four weeks before nations gather in the Danish capital city of Copenhagen for the crucial UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) talks.
Other Issues in Port Ghalib
Inhalers and CFCs
Under the Montreal Protocol, a global phase-out of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2009. Some countries with older manufacturing facilities have sought exemptions for the continued use of pharmaceutical-grade CFCs in metered dose inhalers used by people with asthma until their factories have been upgraded to non-CFC manufacturing.
However, there is concern among some developing countries that sources of pharmaceutical-grade CFCs may disappear in 2010.
The meeting will consider various proposals to keep some supplies in place until all manufacturing facilities have been upgraded to making non-CFC inhalers.
Delegates will also examine the use of the pesticide methyl bromide in fumigating shipments around the world. While methyl bromide is controlled under the Montreal Protocol for use in locations such as farms, its use in quarantine and pre-shipment of, for example, wooden pallets falls outside the treaty.
Some governments and experts have become concerned that its uncontrolled uses may be contributing to harming the ozone layer.
Uncontrolled Use of Fumigants
The meeting in Port Ghalib will discuss new findings from the Montreal Protocol's Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). These indicate that consumption of methyl bromide for quarantine and pre-shipment purposes has averaged around 11,000 metric tonnes a year since 1995.
The workshop, being conducted in collaboration with the International Plant Protection Convention, will assess alternatives for treating shipments of grains, vegetables, logs and other materials.
Heat treatment and treatment using other non-ozone damaging fumigants may be available as alternatives to using methyl bromide.
SOURCE: UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Press Release - Nairobi/Port Ghalib, 2 November 2009, (A) (C) (E) (F)

NORTH AMERICA
4- Miami Import Firm, President Plead Guilty to Smuggling 1.4 Million Kilos of HCFC-22
TAMPA, Fla.-A Miami import company and its president pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 1.4 million kilograms of the restricted refrigerant hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 into the United States, federal prosecutors announced Nov. 23 (United States v. Kroy Corp., S.D. Fla., No. 1:09-CR-20913-PAS, plea agreements 11/20/09).
In separate plea agreements filed Nov. 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, defendant James Garrido, president of Miami-based Kroy Corp., and the company each pleaded guilty to three counts of importing HCFC-22 in violation of the Clean Air Act, Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman said in a written statement. According to the statement and court records, cylinders of HCFC-22 were delivered in containers by ship from the Dominican Republic and declared as either legal R-134A refrigerant or as "United States Goods Returned."
Except for a small quantity of legal refrigerant "strategically placed in front of the contraband," the shipping containers held cylinders of HCFC-22 and were accompanied by false documentation, the statement said.
"At no time did Kroy or Garrido hold unexpended consumption allowances that would have allowed them to legally import the HCFC-22," the statement said.
In all, 11 shipments of HCFC-22 totaled more than 1.41 million kilograms with a total fair market value of more than $3.9 million, the statement said.
According to court records, agents from the Environmental Protection Agency and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched an investigation of Kroy in January as a "suspicious Importer" of refrigerants and began surveillance in which they observed the
cylinders being delivered to a Miami warehouse and public storage facility.
At a scheduled Feb. 11, 2010, sentencing, Garrido faces a maximum 20-year prison term on each of the three counts as well as a fine of $250,000 per count. Kroy Corp. could be fined up to $500,000 per count, the statement said.
An attorney representing Garrido and Kroy declined to comment. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jodi A. Mazer, Miami, represented the government. Juan Guillermo Diaz, Miami, represented Garrido and Kroy.
SOURCE: United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, Press Release, 23 November 2009,
http://www.justice.gov/usao/fls/PressReleases/091123-02.html

READING
>> Sainsbury's to slash their emissions as 15-year campaign bears fruit
... until we realised that, as well as keeping milk cold, they had the unfortunate side effect of punching a massive hole in the Earth's Ozone layer. ... Source: Greenpeace UK, 16 November 2009,
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/sainsburys-slash-their-
emissions-phasing-out-f-gases-15-year-campaign-bears-fruit-20091116

>> Copenhagen summit: Change we can't yet believe in
After all, the same thing happened to the Montreal protocol on CFCs, ... The meeting that created the Kyoto protocol has convened in 10 other countries and ... Source: The Guardian, 16 November 2009, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/16/obama-copenhagen-climate-change

>> SCIENCE MATTERS: Countdown to Copenhagen
It's amazing what world leaders can do when they come together for a common cause, as they did in Montreal in 1987 to ban CFCs to protect the ozone layer. ... Source: Special to LondonTopic.ca, David Suzuki with Faisal Moola,12 October 2009,
http://www.londontopic.ca/article.php?artid=16450#

VIDEO
>> Nitrous Oxide and the Ozone | Video
Rob Martin
11/13/2009 http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=35563

>> Greenpeace video tells the truth about F-gases and calls for action
2009.11.20 - A new Greenpeace video explains how HFCs used to cool our drinks, cars and buildings pose a growing threat to the climate. A petition joined to the video calls for a phase out of HFCs by 2020.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/climate-change/take_
action/hfc-naked-truth-about-f-gases17110

In this issue:
1- Satellites Show Ozone Depletion Leveling Off
2- Customs and the Montreal Protocol: a Successful Partnership with Impressive Results
3- Ghana to Ban Importation of Ozone Depleting Items
4- California Grape and Tree Fruit League Presses for Fumigant Approval

GLOBAL

1- Satellites Show Ozone Depletion Leveling Off
SOURCE: CBC news, 21 September 2009, http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/09/21/tech-
environment-ozone-depletion.html

2- Customs and the Montreal Protocol: a Successful Partnership with Impressive Results
Celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the World Customs Organization (WCO) takes this opportunity to re-affirm its commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of this international instrument by Customs administrations around the world.
The Protocol has established a comprehensive mechanism to ensure global compliance by effectively controlling the trade in ozone depleting substances (ODS). Successful implementation of the Protocol since its adoption in 1987 is to a large degree due to the substantial efforts by Customs administrations worldwide but in the lead-up to 2010 and beyond, the phase-out of CFCs in developing countries will not mean the end of Customs' work! Criminal syndicates will still attempt to trade, but Customs and its partners will be ready to deal an effective blow to theiractivities through increased mutual cooperation and coordinated action.
WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, said, " Protecting the environment is a priority for the WCO. All Customs authorities have a very important role to play in ensuring a greener and safer world as they are on the frontline and primarily responsible for dealing with goods at borders". He added, " While Customs is fully aware of the challenges it faces in combating the illegal trade in ODS and other environment-fragile goods, fauna and flora, the WCO in partnership with its Member Customs administrations and other interested parties will not flinch in its efforts to protect the environment through effective border enforcement".
With respect to ODS in particular, the international community is aware that very often nonproducer countries and free-trade zones are abused as transit points for further distribution of these substances thereby bypassing the Montreal Protocol Licensing System. False declarations and mislabelling make it even more difficult for Customs to detect these goods. The task of curbing smuggling in developing countries, particularly those falling within Article 5 of the Protocol, is considerable because the bulk of production and consumption now occurs in these countries due to the fact that their scheduled phase out of ODS is still to be completed.
2009 has thus far witnessed a number of significant interceptions of ODS by Customs, including more than 85 used refrigerators and almost 19,000 kg of refrigerator compressors containing CFCs. While these seizures are just the 'tip of the iceberg', they nevertheless reveal the extent of this illegal activity. Further illustration of Customs successes include the seizure of 1,140 cylinders of R-12 (gas used as a refrigerant or aerosol spray propellant) in May 2009 by Royal ThaiCustoms as well as their foiling of an attempt to smuggle 1,115 cylinders (15 metric tonnes) of R-12, the May 2009 interception of 565 cartons of 99.9% pure R-12 by Indonesian Customs, and the first seizure at China's western border by Customs officers of more then 100 kg of HCFC-22 (gas used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment) heading for Central Asia.
The WCO will continue to invest heavily in building the capacity of Customs administrations to stop all forms of environment crime. In addition the Organization will step up its efforts to enhance cooperation with other international organizations such as UNEP which together with the WCO form part of the Green Customs Initiative, as these efforts are an investment in the future; an investment for the benefit of future generations.
WCO Members join the WCO Secretariat in expressing best wishes to the Ozone Secretariat on this special occasion.
Resources:
WCO Environment Protection Programme http://www.wcoomd.org/print/?id=1455&url=http%3A/
/www.wcoomd.org/press/%3
Ozone Secretariat http://ozone.unep.org/
UN Environment Programme http://www.unep.org/
Green Customs Initiative http://www.greencustoms.org/
http://www.wcoomd.org/print/?id=1455&url=http%3A//www.wcoomd.org/press/%3...
SOURCE: the World Customs Organization (WCO) Press releases, Brussels, 17 September 2009

AFRICA

3- Ghana to Ban Importation of Ozone Depleting Items
SOURCE: Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, 22, September, 2009, http://gbcghana.com/news/28395detail.html

NORTH AMERICA

4- California Grape and Tree Fruit League Presses for Fumigant Approval
SOURCE: The Packer, 16 September 2009, By Andy Nelson
http://thepacker.com/California-Grape-and-Tree-Fruit-League-presses-for-fumigant-approval/Article.aspx?articleid=836233&authorid=680&feedid=217&src=search

EVENTs - MEETINGs - CONFERENCEs
>>Montreal Protocol Meetings in November 2009 have been posted on the Ozone Secretariat website - kindly follow the links below to access the main documentation page >> http://www.unep.ch/ozone/Meeting_
Documents/mop/21mop/index.shtml or http://ozone.unep.org/Meeting_
Documents/mop/21mop/index.shtml

>> Less than 30 days and only 30 seats left for the Conference on Natural Refrigerants in Europe's capital Brussels. Register today to be one of the last ones to get access granted to Atmosphere 2009 - the meeting point for industry and policy. The event is limited to a maximum of 150 participants, so the earlier you decide to register, the higher your chances to listen to more than 30 high-profile speakers, network with industry experts, and raise your voice about the prospects of Natural Refrigerants >>http://www.atmosphere2009.com

READING
>> Looking for a Change on Climate Policy in Copenhagen
By Richard Bradley , October 10th, 2009; Vol.176 #8 (p. 32)
In December, climate scientists, policy makers and other representatives of 192 nations will convene at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. In advance of that meeting, Science News earth sciences writer Sid Perkins spoke with Richard A. Bradley, head of the Energy Efficiency and Environment Division of the International Energy Agency in Paris. An intergovernmental organization that counts 28 industrialized nations as members, the IEA analyzes and facilitates global energy policy.
What is the purpose of December's United Nations meeting?
The Kyoto Protocol, which prescribes greenhouse gas emission targets for nations that have signed and implemented the agreement, has a commitment period from 2008 to 2012. Copenhagen is to be the concluding negotiation for what will happen after the current agreement expires. While some parties want to simply extend the Kyoto Protocol with new emission commitments, others, like the United States, look for a somewhat different framework.
How can negotiators come up with an agreement that's equitable as well as effective for the developing and developed world, and for future generations?
We don't know the answer to that question because climate change is an unprecedented problem and we have limited experience dealing with a problem of such global scope. The Montreal Protocol of 1987, which dealt with regulating emissions of ozone-depleting substances, affected only a relatively small portion of national economies, whereas greenhouse gases emerge from all sectors.
FULL TEXT >> http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/47715/title/Looking_
for_a_change_on_climate_policy_in_Copenhagen%26ct=ga%26cd=rdSNpX-
UlMM%26usg=AFQjCNGMgJnm_XdzP95cVNVmP3D3LaFvkQ

AUDIO & VIDEO
>>Video News Release (VNR) a short news video on interlinkages between ozone layer protection and climate change in the context of the HCFC phase out and growing interest in HFCs. produced by UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme in cooperation with UNEP's Division of Communication and Public Information >> Read more on VNR and download

>>Earth Report: Perfectly Cool, a 22 minute documentary on the challenges faced in trying to phase out HCFCs, coolant gas used in air conditioners across the developing world, which is the main ozone depleting substance that also contributes to climate change >> Read more/Download

>>The Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol, U Channel Africa interviewed Rajendra Shende, Head OzonAction Branch on ozone layer depletion and the success and challenges of the Montreal Protocol >>
http://62.160.8.20/DMC/medias/details.aspx?id=5055

>>Talks about the environment and the law of unintended consequences - Interview Dr. Durwood Zaelke of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development >> http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?video?TAWSPBlog_Full_20090915p_0_DZuelke

>>Hole in Ozone layer closing up, ABC Online - ELEANOR HALL: It was the big environmental issue of the 1980s, but today there is positive news about the hole in the earth's ozone layer. Listen to the interview >> http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2694149.htm

In this issue:
1- Action on HFC Gases 'Low Hanging Fruit' Opportunity to Combat Climate Change Says UN Environment Chief
2- The Large Contribution of Projected HFC Emissions to Future Climate Forcing
3- Ozone Hole has Unforeseen Effect on Ocean Carbon Sink
4- Ministry Begins Ozone Depletion Awareness Programme (Nigeria)
5- Japan's Cool Earth Partnership
6- China-ECA Dialog on Cooperation in Border Enforcement
7- Workshop to Prepare a National Plan on Ozone Layer Depletion
8- Yemen Launches Program to Protect the Ozone

GLOBAL

1- Action on HFC Gases 'Low Hanging Fruit' Opportunity to Combat Climate Change Says UN Environment Chief
Nairobi, 22 June 2009 - A scientific paper, highlighting the need to accelerate action over a group of gases known as Hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) as part of the climate change agenda, was today welcomed by the head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The findings, by an international team of researchers are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The scientists argue that HFC use could climb sharply in the coming years in products such as insulation foams air conditioning units and refrigeration as replacements for ones being phased-out to protect the ozone layer.
Under a scenario where carbon dioxide emissions are pegged to 450 parts per million HFCs could equal nine Gigatonnes - equivalent to around 45 per cent of total C02 emissions - by 2050 if their growth is unchecked.
Conversely, rapid action to freeze and to cut emissions annually alongside fostering readily available alternatives could see HFC emissions fall to under one Gigatonne by 2050. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Dramatically cutting carbon dioxide emissions from society's inefficient energy use is the key to catalyzing a transition to a low, carbon resource efficient Green Economy. It is also central to delivering a stabilization of the atmosphere as outlined by the assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change".
"But there are other low hanging fruit in the climate change challenge and this new scientific paper spotlights one of them - HFCs. By some estimates, action to freeze and then reduce this group of gases could buy the
world the equivalent of a decades-worth of C02 emissions," he added.
The projected growth in production and consumption of HFCs is in part linked with the success of the UNEP administered Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Since the late 1980s, this treaty has successfully phased-out 97 per cent of 100 chemicals that damage the protective shield that filters out harmful ultra violet rays to the Earth.
Over recent years, research has outlined that global efforts to protect the ozone layer has also delivered climate benefits as many of the chemicals that damage the ozone layer - such as chloroflurocarbons or CFCs - also cause global warming.
In 2007 a scientific paper calculated the climate mitigation benefits of the ozone treaty as totaling an equivalent of 135 billion tonnes of C02 since 1990 or a delay in global warming of seven to 12 years.
In that same year countries meeting in Canada, under the Montreal Protocol, agreed to an accelerated freeze and phase-out of Hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs)-chemicals designed to replace the old, more ozone damaging CFCs - in the main for the climate benefits.
The new paper indicates that unless there is action on HFCs, then countries and companies are likely to pick this group of gases to replace HCFCs in products such as air conditioning units, refrigeration and insulating foams.
Guus Velders of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, the lead author, said in a statement: "Our team of scientists calculates that HFCs present a significant threat to the world's efforts to stabilize climate emissions".
"Because of the projected growth of these climate-warming chemicals, they could represent up to 45 per cent of the total global C02 emissions by 2050 under a scenario that stabilizes C02 emissions at 450 parts per million Preventing strong growth in HFC use is an important climate mitigation option the world has now". Under a business as usual scenario, where C02 emissions are higher, HFCs could equate to between nine and 19 per cent of C02 emissions in 2050 causing a greenhouse effect equal to 6-13 years of global C02 pollution.
In 2008, governments requested the executive secretaries of the Montreal Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Marco Gonzalez and Yvo de Boer - to cooperate more closely including on the issue of HFCs and that cooperation is on-going.
Contact: Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson/Head of Media, nick.nuttall@unep.org
SOURCE: UNEP, 22 June 2009, http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/information/mmcfiles/6283-e-hfcunepPRjune09.pdf

2- The Large Contribution of Projected HFC Emissions to Future Climate Forcing
Guus J. M. Velders, David W. Fahey, John S. Daniel, Mack McFarland and Stephen O. Andersen
The consumption and emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are projected to increase substantially in the coming decades in response to regulation of ozone depleting gases under the Montreal Protocol. The projected increases result primarily from sustained growth in demand for refrigeration, air-conditioning (AC) and insulating foam products in developing countries assuming no new regulation of HFC consumption or emissions. New HFC scenarios are presented based on current hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) consumption in leading applications, patterns of replacements of HCFCs by HFCs in developed countries, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Global HFC emissions significantly exceed previous estimates after 2025 with developing country emissions as much as 800% greater than in developed countries in 2050. Global HFC emissions in 2050 are equivalent to 9-19% (CO2-eq. basis) of projected global CO2 emissions in business-as-usual scenarios and contribute a radiative forcing equivalent to that from 6-13 years of CO2 emissions near 2050. This percentage increases to 28-45% compared with projected CO2 emissions in a 450-ppm CO2 stabilization scenario. In a hypothetical scenario based on a global cap followed by 4% annual reductions in consumption, HFC radiative forcing is shown to peak and begin to decline before 2050.
Read more >> Factsheet | Report
SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) , 22 June 2009, http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/06/19/0902817106.abstract?sid=bbcf981b-c088-
4909-81f0-374a25fd2492

3- Ozone Hole has Unforeseen Effect on Ocean Carbon Sink
Journal reference: Geophysical Research Letters (DOI: 10.1029/2009GL038227)
SOURCE: NewScientist.com, 26 June 2009 by Kate Ravilious,
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17385-ozone-hole-has-unforeseen-effect-on-ocean-carbon-sink.html

AFRICA

4- Ministry Begins Ozone Depletion Awareness Programme (Nigeria)
SOURCE: AllAfrica.com, Quoting Daily Trust, 19 June, 2009, http://allafrica.com/stories/200906190381.html

SOUTH ASIA

5- Japan's Cool Earth Partnership
The Government of Japan established this financial mechanism to assist developing countries to address climate change. Starting in 2008 and lasting for 5 years, Japan will provide funds amounting to approximately US$ 10 billion (JPYen 1,250 billion) for assistance to developing countries that are making efforts to reduce GHGs emissions and achieve economic growth in a compatible way, on the basis of policy consultations between Japan and those countries. Japan will provide assistance in two major categories: (1) adaptation to climate change and improved access to clean energy (up to US$ 2 billion, or JPYen 250 billion) and (2) assistance for mitigation of climate change (up to US$ 8 billion, or JPYen 1 trillion). As an example in the "Mitigation of climate change", the Fund would consider measures to mitigate effects of global warming by reducing GHGs emissions. It is possible that projects involving reduction of GHG emissions by addressing HCFCs or HFCs could be eligible.
SOURCE: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan's Cool Earth Partnership , http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/wef/2008/mechanism.html

6- China-ECA Dialog on Cooperation in Border Enforcement
Strengthening national institutions through regional co-operation. Forty Chinese Customs Officers from Urumqi Anti-Smuggling Bureau, Policy & Regulation Division, Field Service as well as Customs Offices in Kashi, Allah Mountain, Huoerguosi and Urumqi airport participated in a training related to the Montreal Protocol to Protect the Ozone Layer in Urumqi, China, 25 June 2009. Forty (40) Chinese Customs Officers from Urumqi Anti-Smuggling Bureau, Policy & Regulation Division, Field Service as well as Customs Offices in Kashi, Allah Mountain, Huoerguosi and Urumqi airport participated in a training related to the Montreal Protocol to Protect the Ozone Layer in Urumqi, China, 25 June 2009.
It was the first time that such training was conducted in the Western part of China addressing the issues related to illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The participation of Customs and Ozone Officers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan provided the opportunity to establish initial contacts and to exchange information between China and its neighboring countries.
The training raised awareness of Customs Officers on their important role in protecting the ozone layer and preventing illegal trade with ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and informed on commonly used smuggling schemes. During the training, the use of identifiers was demonstrated and the contents of actual refrigerant containers verified.
The training was preceded by a 2-day Dialog on border enforcement between China and the participating Central Asian countries to establish modalities of communication and cooperation between Customs and Enforcement Authorities and Ozone Focal Points in the participating countries and to implement measures to improve border control in general.
The main problem appears to be the availability of CFC refrigerants, halon fire extinguishers and CFC-based refrigeration equipment originating from China on the local markets in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries despite the fact that China did not issue export licenses in recent years.
Usually, ODS cylinders are legally purchased on local markets in China e.g. Urumqi and smuggled in private cars and passenger trains across the border. However, larger scale smuggling of ODS in
containers and trucks can be suspected.
The meeting agreed some 25 recommendations related to the implementation of policy measure including bans of placing on the market of virgin CFCs, labelling requirements for refrigerant cylinders, registration and certification schemes for technicians and companies dealing with ODS, log-book keeping for importers, exporters and dealers of ODS and mandatory proof of origin for ODS imports. Other more short-term recommendation concern the designation of focal points for better cross-border communication, awareness campaigns to discourage potential smugglers and to inform on the potential fines and sentences in case of law breaking.
The meeting also agreed to continue this dialog in the framework of the recently approved Enforcement Network of the Regional Ozone Network for Europe & Central Asia (ECA network) and to invite the Chinese delegation to attend the first meeting of the ECA enforcement network in Budapest, Hungary, 12-14 October 2009.
The meeting was opened by the Director General of MEP's Foreign Economic Cooperation Office Mr. Wen Wurui, the Head of Urumqi Customs Mr. Wang Zhixiong and the Deputy Division Chief of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau in Beijing Ms. Liuying Yang. The meeting was additional staff of MEP FECO, UNEP's offices in Bangkok and Paris offices, a Polish policy expert and a Chinese trainer. The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and the China Customs Administration in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) organized this Dialog as a continuation and follow-up to the earlier Dialog initiated during the Trilateral Meeting with China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on control of trade in ODS held in Issyk-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan, 25-27 August 2005.
The meeting documents and presentations will shortly be made available through the ECA network's website: http://fr1.estis.net/sites/ecanetwork/default.asp?site=ecanetwork&page_id=307B1890-
AC52-476A-990E-07220A21C262
Contact:
MEP FECO National Management Office of ODS Import and Export, Hong Yun, hong.yun@mepfeco.org.cn
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch, Halvart Koeppen, Regional Officer (Europe & Central Asia), halvart.koppen@unep.org
SOURCE: UNEP DTIE, 29 June 2009,
http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/information/mmcfiles/6284-e-urumqi_PR.pdf

WEST ASIA

7- Workshop to Prepare a National Plan on Ozone Layer Depletion
SOURCE: SANA, 29 June 2009, http://www.un.org.sy/forms/news/viewNews.php?idField=350

8- Yemen Launches Program to Protect the Ozone
SOURCE: yementimes.com, 27 June 2009, Ismail Al-Ghabri,
http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1272&p=local&a=4

___________
FEATURED

LATEST FROM OzonAction
>> UNEP Milan Conference Discusses Refrigerants and Policy
Policy makers and representatives from industry and academia presented their views on the latest developments in the HVAC&R sector at the 13th edition of the biennial "European Conference Technological Innovations in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry" held last week in Milan. An overview of key presentations is provided here. About 200 participants gathered in Milan to attend the "XIII European Conference Technological Innovations in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry" at the end of last week. Held under the auspices of several Italian ministries and organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), the Centro Studi Galileo and the Associazione dei Tecnici italiani del Freddo, the conference consisted of 5 sessions over 2 days, where more than 60 speakers discussed the latest developments in the HVAC&R sector. A selection of some of the presentations hereinafter:
- Green and Cool Deal: Antidote for Crises, Rajendra Shende, Head OzonAction Branch, UNEP DTIE
- UNEP Assistance in Phasing out HCFC: What you can do to help developing countries to go beyond only 'compliance', Ezra Clark, OzonAction UNEP DTIE
- Mitigating the climate impact of refrigerants: The EU and international policy, Thomas Verheye & Marios Avraamides, European Commission, Environment Directorate General
- Sustainable Refrigeration, Paul Homsy, Nestlé
- Reversible Residential Air-Conditioners and Heat Pumps Using Carbon Dioxide (CO2, R744) as Working Fluid, A. Hafner, P. Neksa, J. Stene, SINTEF Energy Research, Norway
- What to do with R-22 existing systems? Isceon®, the cost effective non-ozone depleting alternative, Jose P. Garcia Espinosa, DuPont Fluorochemicals
- Low GWP Refrigerant Development, Nacer Achaichia & Giancarlo Matteo, Honeywel
Read more: http://www.r744.com/articles/2009-06-16-unep-milan-conference-discusses
-refrigerants-and-policy.php
SOURCE: R744.com, 16 June 2009, http://www.r744.com/

>> 2009 OzoNews Readers Survey - Report - OzonAction would like to thank you for taking the time to respond to our recent OzoNews Readers Survey. We greatly appreciated receiving your thoughts and opinions!
We are keen to share with you the results of the survey; therefore, we compiled the feedback in a short report, enclosed in this edition. The assessment shows that 96% of readers are satisfied or very satisfied by OzoNews and three-quarters share OzoNews with friends or colleagues, thus increasing the number of OzoNews readers to several tens of thousands around the world. Your invaluable support and feedback will help us serve you better. We always welcome your feedback to continue spreading news about the importance of ozone layer protection and the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
Read/Download the Report

LISTENING
>> Dermatologist Offers Tips for Skin, Sun Safety
According to the National Cancer Institute, the number of people who have developed melanoma has more than doubled over the past 30 years. Dermatologist Darrell Rigel joins "Fresh Air" to explain the sun's effects on the skin, what "SPF" means and why skin cancer rates are going up.
A clinical professor at New York University Medical Center, is the lead editor of Cancer of the Skin, the major textbook in his field. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105867717

READING
>> Twenty Years of Ozone Decline
This book includes articles presented by leading scientists in the ozone field at the Symposium for the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Ozone Commission (IO3C), the Academy of Athens and the Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation, held in Athens in September 2007. His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, recently stated: "The success of the Montreal Protocol shows us that there are global instruments that can help curb the impact of human activities on the global environment. We should draw lessons from this experience, and strive to replicate it." This book responds by including the history, science and lessons learned by the application of the Montreal Protocol over the past twenty years. Expressed views come from three Nobel laureates, sixty scientists and representatives of international organizations and industry. Many interesting aspects of ongoing ozone research are also presented, including comparisons of what has been achieved versus what would have been the state of ozone, climate and UV in the environment if the Protocol had never been in use.
More @ SpringerLink, 29 May 2009, http://www.springerlink.com/

Technology and Economic Assessment Panel report on the environmentally sound management of banks of ozone-depleting substances: executive summary - UNEP/OzL.Pro/Workshop.3/3 (A) (C) (E) (F) (R) (S)

EVENT
>> Documents for the 58th Meeting of the Executive Committee The Multilateral Fund Executive Committee will meet in Montreal, Canada from 6-10 July 2009. Pre-session documents for the meeting are available from the 58th Executive Committee Meeting page http://www.multilateralfund.org/show/page/58th_executive_committee_meeti.htm

>> Documents for the Montreal Protocol July 2009 meetings in Geneva, Switzerland are available from the UNEP Ozone Secretariat at http://ozone.unep.org/highlights.shtml

> Side Events during 29th OEWG Revision of Regulation (EC) No.2037/2000 on Substances that Deplete The Ozone Layer. The European Community through its Commission is considering organizing a side event during the OEWG meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Geneva, 15-18 July 2009 , to enable interested Parties discuss and ask questions on the Revision of Regulation (EC) No. 2037/2000 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Highlights of the proposed revisions to be discussed during the side event are contained in the communication received by the Secretariat and posted here > http://ozone.unep.org/Meeting_Documents/oewg/29oewg/European%20Commission-side%20event.pdf

VIDEO
>> Fixing the Hole http://unep.org/NewsCentre/videos/player_new.asp?w=320&h=240&f=/
newscentre/videos/shortfilms/2007-1-09_Fixing_The_Hole

WEBSITE
>> The 2009 Ozone Hole is Up for Auction - To the winner of the auction a banner advertisement or a comparable advertisement vehicle created by your company or organization will be placed on the top and bottom of every page of their websites replacing all of the existing banner advertising for one year. --- A greener thought for banner advertising. The 2009 Ozone Hole is up for auction. The Ozone Hole Inc. a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the ozone layer, the climate and Earth's environment by educating and motivating the public through its internationally respected website. Last year, 2.3 million people visited the sites - people from all 50 states and 197 countries. Thousands of websites around the world have links to The Ozone Hole website… Learn more >>> http://www.theozonehole.com/aboutus.htm

>> "The Montreal Protocol Who's Who'' Learn more /Nominate an Ozone Layer Protection Champion >> http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/montrealprotocolwhoswho/index.htm