When choosing a topic for my doctoral studies in the History and Philosophy of Science, I wanted to do something that was important to our understanding of the way science works. I was also anxious to avoid the musty and much-travelled corridors of European science of a century or more ago. It was important to me that my topic should have strong relevance to today.

I became interested in stratospheric ozone, CFCs, and the Antarctic ozone hole when my husband John, who is a chemist, outlined a new course of lectures he was preparing. I asked him if I could sit in on his lectures. As the course unfolded I became enthralled with the topic. I hope that in presenting this very rich history of stratospheric ozone, and the scientific investigation of the Antarctic ozone hole in this way, and relating it to some consideration of how scientists collect and evaluate evidence, I will have provided material of great interest and value for all who read these pages.

This book is an extension of the work in my doctoral thesis. I am greatly indebted to my husband, Dr John R. Christie, for his help, support, encouragement and for his long-suffering patience. As a scientist himself, he has been a very wonderful resource and this book would never have been written without his help.