-
“Wonder gas” CFCs were invented in 1928
for commercial applications. -
In late 1973, Rowland and Molina, who had recently joined Rowland’s lab, used data from a variety of published sources to calculate that CFC molecules released near the surface of Earth would, over decades, wind up in the stratosphere where UV radiation would split off chlorine atoms. Each chlorine atom would react immediately with an ozone molecule, setting off a chain reaction that would destroy thousands of ozone molecules.
-
In 1977, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
sets up a co-ordinating committee to study the ozone layer. -
In 1978, the United States of America, Canada,
Sweden and Norway ban the use of CFCs in aerosols. -
In 1981, UNEP starts inter-governmental negotiations
to protect the ozone layer. -
Governments agree to study, exchange information and
protect the ozone layer - through the Vienna Convention for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985). Scientists continue to find proof of ozone depletion. -
The British Antarctic Team discovers severe thinning in the ozone layer over Antarctica - the ozone hole.
