Climate Change (Global Warming and Oxone Depletion)

Synopsis

Recorded in 2006. Sherwood Rowland was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of Ozone. In this interview Rowland chose to talk about two issues: Ozone and Global Warming.

Starting with Ozone depletion and the effect of CFCs on Ozone, Rowland goes on to discuss Global Warming (Greenhouse Warming where infrared radiation is trapped). He explains the chemistry of Ozone depletion and the history of what led to the banning of CFCs starting in 1974 with his joint first publication on the subject with Mario Molina which advocated banning CFCs. This led in 1995 to a ban on CFCs being used in aerosol sprays (limited to the State of Oregon) and a year later a total ban of the use of CFCs in aerosol sprays. .

The second half of the interview gives Rowland’s current opinion/impression of Global Warming. He covers the history of awareness of the problem and the increasingly urgent dangers it poses. At the time of this interview (June 2006) Rowland says that political views have coloured our interpretation of climate change and policies towards taking or not taking action. Although Europe has made promises to reduce Greenhouse gases there is no such recognition by the US government of the need to tackle the problem.

Series

Issues, Series

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2006

Year of production

2006

Subjects

Chemistry; Environmental science; Politics & government

Keywords

climate change; global warming; political debate; Environmental science

Online availability

URI

http://www.vega.org.uk/video/programme/119

Price

free

Delivery

Streamed

Credits

Contributor

Sherwood Rowland

Distribution Formats

Type

VHS

Format

PAL

Price

£25.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

42 minutes

Year

2006

Distributor

Name

Vega Science Trust

Email

vega@vega.org.uk

Web

http://www.vega.org.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

01273 678 726

Address

Sussex Innovation Centre
Science Park Square
Brighton
BN1 9SB

Notes

Well-established maker and distributor of more than 200 programmes on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, many of which have been broadcast. Vega’s videos aim to give a fundamental understanding of principles of nature and the physical world. Outstanding scientists/communicators are directly involved with each video so that they can guide content of the programmes. Science is presented in a natural way as an intellectually challenging discipline and the videos fill the gap in TV coverage by presenting well-informed analyses on serious science-related ethical, economic, social, health and other issues. Separate series consist of interviews with eminent scientists, science video lectures, issues of current scientific concern, the Royal Institution Discourses, scientific masterclasses, and recent research projects. Programmes available for free viewing via the website and some also for sale on DVD.