F. Sherwood Rowland
He shared the Nobel Prize for his work on the depletion of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons.
Most quoted
"Isn't it a responsibility of scientists, if you believe that you have found something that can affect the environment, isn't it your responsibility to actually do something about it, enough so that action actually takes place?"
— from Nobel Prize Lecture, 1995
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Especially if you made them feel wrong."
— from Attributed/Paraphrased
"What's the use of having developed a science well enough to make predictions if, in the end, all we're willing to do is stand around and wait for them to come true?"
— from Interview/Speech
All quotes by F. Sherwood Rowland (415)
The power of scientific evidence is its ability to transcend political and ideological divides.
Our understanding of the atmosphere is a testament to decades of dedicated scientific work.
The intricate dance of chemical reactions underpins all life.
We have a unique capacity for both creation and destruction; our choice defines us.
The quest for understanding is a fundamental aspect of the human experience.
The legacy of our actions will echo through time.
The chlorofluorocarbons are going to be a major problem for the ozone layer.
There is no doubt that if we continue to release CFCs at the present rate, the ozone layer will be significantly depleted.
The scientific community has a responsibility to inform the public about potential environmental threats, even if the evidence is not yet 100% conclusive.
Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. It will only make it worse.
The economic arguments against regulating CFCs are short-sighted and ignore the long-term costs of environmental damage.
We are conducting an uncontrolled experiment on a global scale.
The ozone hole is a stark reminder of the fragility of our planet's atmosphere.
It is not enough to simply identify a problem; we must also work towards solutions.
The chemical industry's initial resistance to our findings was understandable, but ultimately misguided.
Science is not about certainty; it's about reducing uncertainty.
The biggest challenge is not the science itself, but convincing people to act on the science.
Even small changes in atmospheric composition can have significant global impacts.
The long atmospheric lifetime of CFCs means that their impact will be felt for decades, even after emissions cease.
The scientific process is messy and often involves challenging established ideas.
Contemporaries of F. Sherwood Rowland
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of F. Sherwood Rowland (1927–2012).