In 1930, Thomas Midgley developed chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), such as Freon, which enabled safer and more efficient cooling in refrigerators and air conditioning systems. This invention marked a significant advancement in refrigeration technology, providing a non-toxic alternative to previously used refrigerants. However, the long-term environmental impacts of CFCs, particularly their role in ozone depletion, have led to increased scrutiny and regulation in recent decades.

The introduction of fluorocarbon refrigerants in 1930 enabled safer cooling, facilitating a household comfort boom. However, the later environmental awareness influenced eco-critical poetry, prompting poets like Gary Snyder to address the consequences of industrialization.