In a major recognition of scientific contributions that have fundamentally altered our understanding of the Earth’s climate, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences to Veerabhadran Ramanathan. A distinguished professor emeritus at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, Ramanathan is being honored for his pioneering research into the complex roles that greenhouse gases and aerosol particles play in global warming.
The "Accidental" Climate Pioneer
Ramanathan’s journey into the pantheon of climate science began with what has been described as an accidental discovery in the mid-1970s. While working at NASA's Langley Research Center, he uncovered a startling reality that challenged the scientific consensus of the time: carbon dioxide was not the only human-produced gas warming the planet.
In a landmark 1975 paper, Ramanathan revealed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—chemicals then commonly used in spray cans and refrigerators—were exceptionally potent greenhouse gases. He demonstrated that a single molecule of certain CFCs could trap as much heat as 10,000 molecules of carbon dioxide. This revelation expanded the scope of climate science to include "trace gases," providing the scientific impetus for the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Experts now estimate that the global ban on CFCs prevented up to 1°C of additional global warming that would have otherwise occurred by the mid-21st century.
Unmasking "Atmospheric Brown Clouds"
Beyond his work on gases, Ramanathan was instrumental in identifying the climate impact of aerosols—tiny liquid or solid particles suspended in the air. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, he led major international field campaigns, such as the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX), which used a fleet of satellites, drones, and ships to observe vast plumes of pollution.
He identified these "Atmospheric Brown Clouds"—mixtures of soot (black carbon), sulfates, and other pollutants—as a dual threat. While some aerosols reflect sunlight and provide a slight cooling effect at the surface, dark particles like soot absorb solar radiation, heating the atmosphere and accelerating the melting of Himalayan glaciers. His research highlighted that air quality and climate change are inextricably linked, showing that cleaning up local pollution could provide immediate regional benefits for the water cycle and public health.
A Voice for the Vulnerable and the Pope
Ramanathan’s influence has extended far beyond the laboratory. Known for his "quiet but effective" communication style, he has been a key advisor to global leaders, including serving as a prominent member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. He was a primary scientific consultant for Pope Francis’s influential 2015 encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’, helping to frame the climate crisis as a moral and ethical challenge that disproportionately affects the world's poorest populations.
He has also been a driving force behind the concept of "short-lived climate pollutants" (SLCPs). Unlike CO2, which lingers in the atmosphere for centuries, pollutants like methane and soot remain for only a few weeks or years. Ramanathan has argued that aggressively reducing these substances offers a "fast-track" strategy to slow warming in the near term, providing humanity a crucial window of time to transition away from fossil fuels.
The 2026 Crafoord Prize
The Crafoord Prize, which includes a reward of 8 million Swedish kronor (approximately $760,000), is often regarded as one of the highest honors in disciplines not covered by the Nobel Prize. In its announcement on January 29, 2026, the Royal Swedish Academy stated that Ramanathan’s work "laid the foundation for our modern understanding of how humankind is affecting the atmosphere’s composition."
Upon receiving news of the award, Ramanathan emphasized that the prize serves as a validation of the rigorous observational science underpinning climate research. At a time when climate data is often a subject of political debate, he noted that the recognition highlights how the field is built upon the fundamental principles of physics and chemistry, offering a renewed platform to build public trust in the science of our changing world.
0 Comments