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The hole in the ozone layer was discovered over the Antarctic in 1985 and is perhaps the most dramatic example of humanity damaging its own environment. Within two years, the cause of the hole was understood and the Montreal protocol was signed to phase out production of the substances responsible for ozone depletion. This international cooperation was a major success for science; but what would have happened if we had not acted?

Professor Carslaw will give a brief history of the ozone layer, and then talk about the related discovery of 'almost perfect' industrial chemicals, spy aircraft, Nobel prizes and advanced computer simulation.

There are obvious parallels between the damage to the ozone layer and the threat posed by man-made climate change to the future of life on earth.

Ken Carslaw is Professor of Atmospheric Science at Leeds University. His work has been adopted by the Met Office for its climate model.