What Ever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
Summary
Host Ben Bradford interviews atmospheric scientist Susan Solomon about the discovery and global effort to heal the ozone layer. The episode details how CFCs caused the ozone hole, the political and industrial challenges in banning them, and the eventual success of the Montreal Protocol. Solomon argues that the "three Ps"—personal, perceptible, and practical—drove this victory and offers hope for addressing climate change.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The ozone layer mystery and Susan Solomon
The rise of CFCs: From refrigerators to hairspray
Early warnings: Scientists discover ozone depletion risks
Public action: Boycotts and the ban on aerosol sprays
The Antarctic discovery: A shocking hole in the ozone
Susan Solomon's research: Graphing the ozone hole by hand
Antarctic expedition: Proving the cause on a stormy roof
Global response: The Montreal Protocol and industry shifts
The messy truth: Denial, luck, and political hurdles
Industry resistance and the near-failure of the treaty
Lessons learned: The three Ps of environmental action
Applying ozone lessons to the climate change crisis
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