Posted February 24, 1999

Harold Johnston

Emeritus Professor of Chemistry Harold Johnston recently received the 1998 Roger Revelle Medal of the American Geophysical Union. The Revelle Medal recognizes outstanding contributions to our understanding of atmospheric processes or other key elements of the climate system.

"I am deeply grateful to receive the Roger Revelle award," said Johnston. "Over the past 30 years I have seen brilliant creative scientists turn my narrow specialty of gas phase chemical kinetics into a global atmospheric science, and I am indebted to them...."

Johnston is most widely recognized for his research on damage to the ozone layer caused by nitrogen oxides emitted by aircraft in the stratosphere. His controversial study published in Science magazine in 1971 thrust him into the spotlight. One of the first scientists to demonstrate a rapid global environmental impact as a result of human activity, his work led to reconsideration of commercial supersonic air transport.

The award was presented at a meeting in San Francisco in December.

February 24 - March 2, 1999 (Volume 27, Number 24)
Copyright 1999, The Regents of the University of California.
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