One Scientist's Adventures in Science and Policy

My career in atmospheric chemistry and climate science since 1977 covered a period of sweeping technical, scientific, and policy change. Scientists and the public alike were shocked when the British Antarctic Survey discovered the ozone hole in 1985, and researchers were challenged to explain its cause. Within a few short years, a remarkable array of field, laboratory, and modelling studies demonstrated that man-made production of chlorofluorocarbons was the fundamental cause of this unexpected loss of ozone. In the past few years, the Antarctic ozone hole has demonstrably entered a new era of healing, showing that it is indeed possible for people to succeed in solving even a global environmental problem. This talk reflects on how the scientific community’s dedication combined with public policy, industry participation, and the engagement of citizens ultimately succeeded in addressing the ozone hole. Finally, I present some comparisons to other environmental problems, including climate change.