ABSTRACT
The environmental sciences attracted strong federal support, and everywhere “defensive research” prospered. The stratospheric ozone problem represents one of a new class of long-term environmental threats which present unique challenges to the political process. In 1963 Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring suddenly raised the public consciousness about environmental questions, and a new era of scientific involvement was launched. Until the end of the 1960s scientific involvement in politics was largely limited to nuclear energy and national security policy, and was concerned more with means than with ends. By contrast the industry witnesses, while admitting in various degrees a cause for concern, uniformly advocated the delay of regulatory action or even preparations for such action. If the National Academy of Sciences confirms the current task force assessment, it is recommended that Federal regulatory agencies initiate rulemaking procedures for implementing regulations to restrict fluorocarbon uses.
