Mario Molina was a Mexican-American chemist who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work on the effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the depletion of the ozone layer. He was born on March 19, 1943, in Mexico City, Mexico, and passed away on October 7, 2020, in Mexico City, at the age of 77.
Molina's research in the 1970s showed that CFCs, which were widely used in refrigeration, aerosols, and other industrial applications, were breaking down in the Earth's atmosphere and releasing chlorine atoms that could destroy ozone molecules. This groundbreaking discovery led to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international agreement to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
Molina received numerous honors and awards for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2013. He was a professor at the University of California, San Diego, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Molina was also an advocate for addressing climate change, and he worked to raise awareness about the importance of science and education in addressing global challenges. His legacy continues to inspire scientists and policymakers to work towards a more sustainable future for all.