The ozone layer acts as a shield between the sun and the earth's surface, preventing UV rays from reaching the earth's surface by absorbing them. The ozone layer is depleted when CFCs are released into the atmosphere. When these CFCs are released into the atmosphere they undergo various reactions and destroy the ozone layer by breaking down its molecules; in doing so, CFCs reduce the ozone layer's ability to absorb UV radiation. As a result, UV radiation falls directly on the Earth's surface, thus increasing its surface area