Refrigerants For The Future: An Interview With Mack McFarland

Dr. Mack McFarland is an Environmental Fellow in DuPont Fluoroproducts. He received a BS in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970 and a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Colorado in 1973. From 1974 through 1983, first as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at York University and then a research scientist at the NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory, Dr. McFarland planned, conducted and interpreted field experiments designed to probe the cycles that control atmospheric ozone concentrations. These studies included measurements of gases and processes important to the global climate change issue. In late 1983 he joined the DuPont Company. His primary responsibilities have been in the areas of coordination of research programs and assessment and interpretation of scientific information on stratospheric ozone depletion and global climate change. He has participated in almost all major international scientific assessments of stratospheric ozone (under the Montreal Protocol) and global climate change (IPCC) as author, reviewer or review editor. During 1995 and 1996 Dr. McFarland was on loan to the Atmosphere Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme and in 1997 he was on loan to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II Technical Support Unit. The value of his contributions to DuPont has been recognized through a 2007 Pedersen Award, a C&P; Flagship Award, Environmental Respect Awards, and Environmental Excellence Awards. In 1999 Mack was awarded an individual Climate Protection Award by the US Environmental Protection Agency for his contributions in providing understandable, reliable information to decision makers. In 2007 he shared with coauthors the Best New Paper on the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. Dr. McFarland has contributed to the IPCC in various roles since 1990 and was recognized by the IPCC for contributing to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007.