Global CFC Use (20th Century)
Scientists discovered a massive hole in Earth’s protective ozone layer in 1985. The cause? Chlorofluorocarbons from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays worldwide. These chemicals had been incorporated into countless products before anyone realized they destroyed atmospheric ozone. Increased ultraviolet radiation threatened global health. Unprecedented international cooperation through the Montreal Protocol finally phased out these compounds before permanent damage occurred.
