In the 1980′s, environmental groups celebrated the ban of ozone-destroying CFC gases. These chlorofluorocarbon gases were used in air-conditioning and refrigeration units before they were found to badly harm the ozone layer and were subsequently banned under the 1987 Montreal protocol.

They were replaced by HFCs – hydrofluorocarbons – which are gases that have far less effect on ozone but have since been revealed as extremely powerful greenhouse gases. This is a slap in the face to the organizations who trumpeted the use of HFC’s.

A study out this week will warn that, by 2050, HFCs could account for up to 19% of global warming. “By 2050, the contribution of HFCs to global warming will be more than that of current global CO2 emissions from houses and office buildings,” said Guus Velders of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, who did the research.