evidence: The ozone layer is a thin shield of gas in the Earth’s atmosphere that protects the planet, absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and helping to preserve all life on the planet. But the ozone layer is not immune to harmful human activities. A collection of human-made greenhouse gases known as ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), including chlorofluorocarbons that can be found in everyday products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans, have been destroying the ozone layer. [...] The consequences of any damage to the ozone layer are multifold. Harmful ODSs can carve a hole in the ozone layer, allowing UV rays to directly hit the Earth. Long-term exposure to UV radiation threatens human life - causing skin cancer, eye diseases and other health problems - and seriously harms most animals, plants, and microbes. Moreover, many ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change when they accumulate in the atmosphere and warm the planet. [...] Scientists have also noted that ozone protection efforts have evidently slowed climate change by avoiding an estimated 135 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from 1990 to 2010. A successful reduction in HFCs in the atmosphere can avoid up to 0.4 degree Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.