Frank Sherwood Rowland

Frank Sherwood Rowland was an American chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to environmental science. He is best known for discovering that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used in refrigerants and aerosols, could deplete the ozone layer—a protective shield around Earth. His research helped raise awareness about human impact on the environment and led to global efforts, like the Montreal Protocol, to reduce CFC emissions. Rowland's work transformed our understanding of atmospheric chemistry and emphasized the importance of protecting the planet’s natural systems. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his pioneering discoveries.