F. Sherwood Rowland (1927–2012), Atmospheric Scientist Par Excellence

Sherwood (“Sherry”) Rowland (1927–2012), whose discovery with Mario J. Molina of the danger that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) posed to the earth’s ozone layer was initially met with disdain but was ultimately vindicated with the award of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone,” died on March 10, 2012. Our article discusses Rowland’s personal and professional life, achievements, and personality, with an emphasis on his Nobel–winning work that is widely viewed as a vindication of environmental science, long belittled by mainstream science. Rowland and Molina alerted the world to the action of the then widely used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in depleting the Earth’s ozone layer, led to the Montréal Protocol, and focused attention on global environmental problems.