Mario José Molina-Pasquel Henríquez (March 19, 1943 – October 7, 2020) was a Mexican-born American chemist renowned for his pivotal research on the environmental effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the Earth’s ozone layer. His work has had a lasting impact on environmental science and policy.
Early Life and Education
Born in Mexico City, Molina exhibited an early passion for science, particularly chemistry. He earned a chemical engineering degree from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in 1965. Seeking to deepen his knowledge, he pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Freiburg in Germany and later obtained a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1972.
Groundbreaking Research on CFCs and the Ozone Layer
In the early 1970s, while working with F. Sherwood Rowland at the University of California, Irvine, Molina investigated the environmental impact of CFCs—chemicals commonly used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants. Their research revealed that CFCs released into the atmosphere decompose and release chlorine atoms, which catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules in the stratosphere. This depletion of the ozone layer posed significant risks, including increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Molina and Rowland’s findings, published in 1974, initially faced skepticism but eventually led to widespread scientific acknowledgment of the dangers posed by CFCs. Their work was instrumental in the development of international policies aimed at protecting the ozone layer.
Nobel Prize and Legacy
In recognition of their groundbreaking work, Molina, Rowland, and Paul Crutzen were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for their contributions to atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone.
Molina’s research significantly influenced global environmental policy, contributing to the establishment of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international treaty designed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. His legacy continues to inspire efforts in environmental protection and sustainability.
External Resources
For more detailed information on Mario Molina’s life and contributions:
