At 81, Veerabhadran Ramanathan stands at the pinnacle of global climate science after being awarded the prestigious 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences, often dubbed the “Nobel of Geosciences.” This latest honour-Nobel of Geosciences to Veerabhadran recognises his decades-long work on atmospheric pollutants, and their role in climate change. A lifetime of research that has reshaped how scientists and policymakers view the Earth’s climate system.
From South India to Global Science Leadership
Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins 2026 Crafoord Prize
Born in Chennai in 1944, Ramanathan’s journey took him from southern India to leading scientific institutions in the United States. Educated at top Indian universities before moving to the U.S. for advanced studies, he carved a path that would redefine climate science. Today, he is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.
Crafoord Prize 2026: A Lifetime of Discoveries
In 2026, Ramanathan received the Crafoord Prize in Geosciences from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences — a distinction awarded in fields not covered by the Nobel prizes. The honour comes with 8 million Swedish kronor (roughly $900,000) and global recognition for research that fundamentally advanced the science of climate change.
The award citation highlights Ramanathan’s work showing how tiny particles and short-lived gases in the atmosphere — far beyond carbon dioxide — influence Earth’s energy balance. His research has helped scientists understand why the planet warms and how air pollution and climate systems are intertwined.
A Scientific Revelation: Beyond Carbon Dioxide
Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins 2026 Crafoord Prize
Long before climate change entered mainstream discourse, Ramanathan’s insights challenged established thinking. In the mid-1970s, he revealed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — common in refrigerants and aerosols — are extremely powerful greenhouse gases, trapping heat thousands of times more efficiently than carbon dioxide. This shifted climate science toward a broader view of greenhouse forcing.
His work showed that other substances — methane, black carbon (soot), hydrofluorocarbons and aerosol particles — are critical drivers of warming and air quality impacts. This concept of “short-lived climate pollutants” helped forge new strategies for immediate climate mitigation while long-term CO₂ reductions continue.
Impact on Climate Policy Worldwide
Ramanathan’s discoveries didn’t stay in academic journals — they influenced real policy. His early identification of potent greenhouse gases informed international treaties like the Montreal Protocol, which successfully curbed harmful CFC emissions and protected the ozone layer. His research also underpins global efforts to reduce black carbon and methane emissions for near-term climate benefits.
International Recognition and Scientific LegacyAcross a career spanning nearly five decades, Ramanathan has earned many top honours, including:
- Blue Planet Prize for environmental achievements (2021).
- Tang Prize in Sustainable Development (2018).
- Grande Médaille from the Académie des sciences, France (2024).
- Election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
And now, with the Crafoord Prize, Ramanathan joins an elite group of scientists whose work transformed how we understand our planet.
A Global Voice for Climate Ethics
Ramanathan’s influence extends beyond science. He has advised world leaders and institutions, and worked with the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, connecting climate science with ethics and human wellbeing. His voice has helped position climate change as not just an environmental issue, but a humanitarian challenge.
Why Ramanathan’s Work Matters Today
As climate impacts become more apparent — from extreme storms to melting glaciers — Ramanathan’s research remains urgently relevant. By demonstrating that pollutants beyond CO₂ matter, he helped broaden the conversation around climate action strategies that yield rapid benefits for both the planet and human health.
In an era of urgent climate debate, his lifetime of work stands as a testament to scientific curiosity, intellectual courage, and the power of evidence to shape global policy.
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