Professor Ramanathan, a climate science pioneer, received the Volvo Environment Prize in 1997.
The Volvo Environment Prize event 2023 starts soon.
June 2, 2026
Professor Ramanathan, a climate science pioneer, received the Volvo Environment Prize in 1997.
SCIENCE
Climate science pioneer predicts “ozone-hole moment” for global warming
During a recent visit to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Professor Ramanathan, who received the Volvo Environment Prize in 1997, expressed concern over what he sees as a global backpedaling on climate mitigation efforts.
“Many people think climate change is happening somewhere else. It isn’t touching them yet,” Ramanathan told attendees at the Academy.
“I worry that in five years, maybe sooner, we will have our ozone-hole moment on climate. Only then will we act,” he added, referencing the historic turning point in environmental action triggered by the discovery of the ozone hole in the 1980s.
From top left: Mercedes Bustamante (Brazil), Deliang Chen (China), Belinda Reyers (South Africa), and Norichika Kanie (Japan)
PRIZE JURY
In 2025 and 2026, the Volvo Environment Prize proudly welcomed four visionary minds to its Prize Jury: Mercedes Bustamante (Brazil), Deliang Chen (China), Belinda Reyes (South Africa), and Norichika Kanie (Japan).
Discover their perspectives on the award’s legacy and their hopes for the future of sustainability research.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Who will be the 2026 laureate?
For 36 years, the award has celebrated trailblazers in sustainability. Today, as global challenges intensify, the need for inspiration from exceptional scientists has never been greater. The mission of the Volvo Environment Prize Foundation is to honor and empower visionary scientists whose work drives environmental stewardship, advances human well-being, and accelerates the journey toward a sustainable, thriving society