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Physicist Paulo Artaxo, a professor at the Department of Applied Physics at USP’s Institute of Physics (IF) and former vice president of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), was awarded the Planet Earth Award 2026, granted by the Alliance of World Scientists (AWS). The award recognizes scientific leaders whose trajectory combines academic excellence, public engagement, and effective contribution to addressing the global environmental crisis.
This year, Brazil had two representatives among the seven laureates: in addition to Artaxo, ecologist Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas was distinguished. Her work integrates climate science, biodiversity conservation, and social justice, with an emphasis on threatened ecosystems and the integration between scientific and traditional knowledge.
The Planet Earth Award, granted by the Alliance of World Scientists (AWS), distinguishes individuals who act in defense of life on Earth, recognizing those who demonstrate remarkable creativity or outstanding contributions both in scientific production and in the promotion of actions and evidence-based positions. The award values trajectories that combine academic rigor and public commitment, whether in dialogue with society, policymakers, or other groups engaged in building solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.
When commenting on the award to Jornal da Ciência, Artaxo said the international recognition highlights the relevance of Brazilian scientific production on the global stage. “It is very good to see Brazilian science being internationally recognized, particularly by institutions such as the AWS. Basically, there are more than 27,000 researchers from more than 180 countries who represent a large portion of research in terms of environmental and climate sustainability of our planet. So, it is a source of pride for Brazil to win two awards this year — and note that we were far more awarded than most countries that invest much more in science and technology than we do, which shows that we do indeed have the opportunity to make our country shine in science if we have adequate resources for that”.
Pioneering Studies
Recognized as one of the leading international references in physics applied to environmental problems, Artaxo dedicated 40 years to investigating the processes that connect the Amazon rainforest to the regional and global climate. His pioneering studies on atmospheric aerosols, biogenic emissions from vegetation, and radiative forcing contributed to elucidating how tropical forests influence the hydrological cycle, the formation of cloud condensation nuclei, and the planet’s energy balance.
“He has devoted four decades to illuminating the profound connections between the Amazon rainforest and the global climate system. His pioneering work deepened the understanding of how tropical forests regulate planetary processes. As a leading scientist and IPCC author, he exemplifies the rigorous and globally engaged research that the award was created to recognize”, the award committee said in an official statement.
Artaxo served as a lead author of the last three reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — AR4, AR5, and AR6. The IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The physicist also coordinates the Global Climate Change Program of the São Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp), directs USP’s Center for Sustainable Amazon Studies, and serves on the Steering Committee of the Amazon Fund.
Among the other laureates this year are the Americans Edward Barbier, an environmental economist, Dominick DellaSala, a forest ecologist, and Susan M. Natali, a researcher dedicated to the impacts of permafrost thaw in the Arctic; the Polish Katarzyna Nowak, a specialist in conservation and ecosystem protection; and the Canadian Andrew J. Weaver, a climatologist and former leader of the Green Party in British Columbia.
Written with information provided by Jornal da Ciência / SBPC
English version: Nexus Traduções, edited by Denis Pacheco
