'Historic' deal reached on cutting ozone threats

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TORONTO, SEPT 23 (AP): Governments of almost 200 countries have agreed to speed the elimination of a major greenhouse gas that depletes ozone, UN and Canadian officials said, describing a deal they said was a significant step toward fighting global warming.
The agreement will accelerate a treaty to freeze and phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are used in home appliances, some refrigerators, hair sprays and air conditioners, said Nick Nuttall, spokesman for the United Nations Environment Programme, Saturday.
"With this plan of an accelerated freeze and accelerated phase-out, we could have potentially significant benefits arising in terms of combating climate change and ozone loss," Nuttall said. "It's a remarkable change in how we view the issue of climate change."
The treaty known as the Montreal Protocol was originally established in the Canadian city in 1987 to protect the ozone layer from destructive chemicals. It was negotiated by 191 countries to cut back on chemicals blamed for destroying the ozone layer. The member nations, gathering in Montreal again 20 years later, agreed Friday night to freeze production and consumption of HCFCs in 2013.