Final answer:
The Montreal Protocol is the international agreement created to address the ozone hole, effectively phasing out substances that damage the ozone layer, signed in 1987 and supported by 197 countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The international agreement created to address the ozone hole in Earth's atmosphere is the Montreal Protocol. Signed in 1987, this treaty specifically aimed to ban and phase out ozone-depleting chemicals used in industrial and consumer products, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) found in aerosol sprays. The protocol has been successful, with the ozone layer on the path to recovery, expected to be fully healed by 2070 if current practices are maintained.
The Montreal Protocol was rapidly adopted by nations worldwide, with currently 197 countries being signatories. This concerted global effort stands in contrast to other protocols that address different environmental concerns, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, which tackle greenhouse gas emissions and the broader challenges of climate change.