Climate change: Deal signed in Rwanda by 197 countries

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Kigali - Dangerous gases are to be cut from refrigerators and air conditioners in a “monumental” deal signed by nearly 200 countries in Rwanda. Factory-made hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases are used in air conditioning units and fridges but can be 10,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as greenhouse gases. They replaced the previous use of CFC gases, which were even more damaging to the environment. The deal, which includes the world's two biggest economies, the United States and China, divides countries into three groups with different deadlines to reduce the use of HFCs. US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "It's a monumental step forward." As Rwanda's Minister for Natural Resources, Vincent Biruta, began spelling out the terms of the deal shortly after sunrise on Saturday, applause from negotiators who had been up all night drowned out his words. Under the pact, developed nations, including much of Europe and the United States, commit to reducing their use of the gases incrementally, starting with a 10 percent cut by 2019 and reaching 85 percent by 2036. Take a look through these stunning drone images, highlighting the effects of pollution on planet earth but also the opportunities to tackle this scary problem.(FA)

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