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+ - Save the Ozone layer, heat the planet

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Control Group writes "According to physorg.com, the law of unintended consequences has struck the Ozone-layer preserving Montreal Protocol. While the treaty has been successful in reducing the use of Ozone-depleting CFCs, it turns out that their hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarban (HCFC) replacements are massive greenhouse gases. "Use of HCFCs and HFCs is projected to add the equivalent of 2 billion to 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere by 2015, U.N. climate experts said in a recent report." For comparison's sake, even were the Kyoto treaty to be embraced worldwide, its target is to reduce CO2 emissions by roughly 1 billion tons by 2012. The same report recommends the use of greenhouse-friendlier replacements such as ammonia, hydrocarbons, or CO2, but industry cites concerns about these substances: the safety of hydrocarbon cooling (mainly using propane), along with reduced energy efficiency.

"If there's a leak in a residential line, it can ignite — you have a potential bomb," said Stephen Yurek, general counsel for the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. It represents North American makers of equipment for homes, businesses and transportation.

Manufacturers also say they could not meet U.S. energy efficiency requirements that took effect this year if they used those chemicals. "The technology just isn't there," Yurek said. "
