The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. However, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerants, aerosols, and other products are destroying the ozone layer by releasing chlorine atoms that break down ozone molecules. This depletion causes increased skin cancer, cataracts, damage to crops and plankton, and impacts the Earth's climate. While reducing CFC use helps, fully phasing out these chemicals is needed to allow the ozone layer to recover over time.

1. Destruction of the Ozone Layer The ozone layer is a layer in Earth’s atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). This layer absorbs 93-99% of the sun's high frequency ultravioletlight, which is potentially damaging to life on earth.