Video coming soon
Buildings
Refrigerants
The Hole in the Sky That United the World
In 1985, scientists noticed a vast hole opening in the ozone layer above Antarctica. The culprit was hiding in fridges, aerosols and air conditioners. Nations united, CFCs were phased out, and the ozone layer began to recover, one of the greatest environmental victories in history. But many replacement refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases, leaving a new challenge: how to keep the world cool without heating the planet.
(Illustrated guide coming soon)
4.4overall
How this solution scores
- Impact5 / 5Replacing refrigerants can eliminate gases thousands of times more warming than CO₂
- Speed5 / 5Can be replaced quickly with new equipment. Leaks fixed on servicing.
- Cost3 / 5Safer gases, leak repairs and safe disposal all add cost.
- Readiness5 / 5Global treaty already signed. Alternative refrigerants on the market.
- Nature4 / 5Also protects the ozone layer which benefits people, animals, and plants.
