Bahrain bid to protect ozonehttp://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=259550I'm all for protecting the ozone, and for all things related to protecting our environment. I continuously harass my colleagues at work not to waste paper and the lectures just take off from there.
Having said that, i dont know how reasonable this initiative is, and when i say this, i don't mean the idea itself (which i totally support) but what i mean is its implementation. This initiative will cover "automobile and truck air-conditioning units, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, water coolers, ice machines, air-conditioning, heat pump units, aerosol products except medical ones, portable fire extinguisher, insulation boards, panels and pipe covers". Will the Bahraini market have replacements (and affordable ones that will not act as barriers to replacement) in place by January?
In order to have consumer buy-in of these environmental initiatives there should be a phase-in process so that the authorities have enough time to raise awareness (i guess they do between now and January) but are they going to do so? That's the question. While they are training some 150 technical staff, i'm sure there are lots more that need to be educated (its still a
great start tho). But that's only the first level. I'm sure these changes will have an effect on the bottom-line, especially with consumers. Is there going to be any awareness campaign (targeted at consumers and not technicians) to advise why costs may rise? (all this is assuming that costs
do rise).
And they should assist in pointing consumers to affordable replacements.
I've seen these types of campaigns in the past, and i believe the goals are noteworthy, but many fail as consumers do not support and buy-in to the change and some actively condemn the authorities for a lack of foresight in implementation.
Having said that, I salute the Bahrainis for the initiative and wish them success in their goal.
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