Mario Molina was a renowned Mexican chemist who made significant contributions to the field of atmospheric chemistry. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the depletion of the ozone layer, which led to the development of the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that phased out the use of ozone-depleting substances.
Molina was born in Mexico City in 1943 and went on to study
chemical engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He later
earned a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley,
where he studied under the Nobel laureate chemist, Harold Johnston.
Molina's work on the ozone layer began in the 1970s, when he
and his colleague, Sherwood Rowland, began investigating the effects of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the atmosphere. They found that these chemicals,
which were commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, could
break down ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere, leading to a depletion of
the ozone layer.
Molina and Rowland's research was met with skepticism at
first, but they persisted in their work and eventually their findings were
validated by other scientists. In 1985, Molina and Rowland were awarded the
Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on the ozone layer.
Molina continued to work on environmental issues throughout
his career, including on the effects of air pollution on public health. He
served as a professor at the University of California, San Diego, and was
involved in numerous scientific organizations and initiatives.
Molina's legacy is one of scientific excellence and a
commitment to using science to address some of the world's most pressing
environmental problems. His work on the ozone layer helped to catalyze global
action to protect the planet's atmosphere, and his contributions will continue
to be felt for generations to come.
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