The Environmental Protection Agency moved Monday to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerants.

The EPA’s plan calls for an 85% reduction in the use of the chemicals over the next 15 years. Climate scientists say a rapid phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons worldwide would help prevent a global temperature rise of one-half of one degree Celsius by the end of the century.

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