The Montreal Protocol was agreed in 1987 and implemented two years later. It's a landmark international agreement, designed to protect the earth's ozone layer. It's also the first environmental treaty to receive worldwide support. The Montreal Protocol is designed to legally enforce the phasing out of ozone-depleting chemicals that exist in household items, like fridges. TOUCH In 1974, scientists discovered that chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, deplete the ozone layer that protects the planet from ultraviolet radiation. In 1985, a gaping hole was discovered above Antarctica. It prompted world leaders to take action. The protocol is now ratified by 197 countries and is believed to have averted the collapse of the ozone layer by the middle of the 21st century. The parties meet annually to adjust the protocol in response to new scientific information. So far, that's happened six times. Delegates say the objective is to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of a damaged ozone layer.
