# Syukuro Manabe

> Japanese-American meteorologist and climatologist (1931–)

**Wikidata**: [Q3675789](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3675789)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syukuro_Manabe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/syukuro-manabe

## Summary
Syukuro Manabe is a Japanese-American meteorologist and climatologist renowned for his pioneering work in climate modeling, particularly his research linking carbon dioxide levels to global temperature changes. Born in 1931, Manabe's contributions have significantly advanced the understanding of climate systems and human-induced climate change.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 21, 1931
- **Nationality**: Japanese-American
- **Education**: University of Tokyo (Bachelor's, Master's), Princeton University (Ph.D.)
- **Known for**: Pioneering climate modeling and demonstrating the impact of CO₂ on global warming
- **Employer(s)**: University of Tokyo, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Princeton University
- **Field(s)**: Meteorology, Climatology

## Contributions
- **Climate Modeling**: Developed one of the first general circulation models (GCMs) in the 1960s, simulating Earth's climate system and predicting temperature rises due to increased CO₂.
- **CO₂ and Global Warming**: Published seminal papers in the 1960s and 1970s, including a 1967 study with Richard Wetherald, showing how doubling atmospheric CO₂ could raise global temperatures by about 2°C.
- **Atmospheric Physics**: Conducted foundational research on atmospheric radiation, convection, and the hydrological cycle, enhancing the accuracy of climate projections.
- **Interdisciplinary Collaboration**: Bridged meteorology and climatology, fostering a scientific framework for understanding long-term climate trends and variability.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Syukuro Manabe's most significant contribution to science?
A: Manabe pioneered climate modeling, creating early simulations that demonstrated how increased CO₂ levels drive global warming, laying the groundwork for modern climate science.

### Q: Where has Syukuro Manabe worked?
A: Manabe has been affiliated with the University of Tokyo, NOAA, and Princeton University, where he conducted influential research and mentored future climate scientists.

### Q: What awards has Syukuro Manabe received?
A: He has received the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal, Volvo Environment Prize, Blue Planet Prize, William Bowie Medal, Benjamin Franklin Medal, BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award, Crafoord Prize in Geosciences, Roger Revelle Medal, Milutin Milankovic Medal, Nobel Prize in Physics, and the Asahi Prize.

### Q: How has Manabe influenced climate policy?
A: His models provided critical evidence for human-driven climate change, informing international agreements like the Paris Agreement and shaping global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

## Why They Matter
Syukuro Manabe's work transformed climate science from a speculative field into a predictive discipline. His models provided the first quantitative evidence linking CO₂ emissions to global warming, directly influencing international climate policy and public awareness. Without Manabe's contributions, the scientific consensus on climate change would lack its foundational modeling framework, delaying global action to address this critical challenge.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Climate Models**: Developed the first GCMs that simulated the impact of CO₂ on Earth's climate.
- **Nobel Laureate**: Awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to understanding complex physical systems, particularly climate modeling.
- **Interdisciplinary Leadership**: Integrated atmospheric physics, meteorology, and climatology to advance holistic climate science.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Recipient of over 10 major international awards for his groundbreaking research.
- **Mentorship**: Trained generations of climate scientists, ensuring the continuation of his legacy in climate research.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Syukuro Manabe was born on September 21, 1931, in Japan. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Tokyo, later completing his Ph.D. at Princeton University, where he began his pioneering work in atmospheric sciences.

### Career and Research
Manabe's career spanned academia and government research. At NOAA, he led the development of early climate models, publishing seminal papers in the 1960s and 1970s that established the link between CO₂ and global temperature rise. His 1967 study with Richard Wetherald introduced the first coupled atmosphere-ocean model, predicting a 2°C warming from doubled CO₂ levels—a finding remarkably consistent with modern estimates.

### Climate Modeling Innovations
Manabe's GCMs incorporated complex interactions between atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial systems, revolutionizing climate prediction. His models addressed critical processes like cloud feedback, ice-albedo effects, and ocean heat uptake, enhancing the reliability of long-term climate projections.

### Academic and Institutional Affiliations
Manabe held positions at the University of Tokyo, NOAA, and Princeton University. At Princeton, he contributed to the Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, fostering interdisciplinary research and mentoring students who became leaders in climate science.

### Awards and Legacy
Manabe's accolades reflect his profound impact on science. The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized his role in developing "the physical modeling of Earth's climate, quantifying variability and reliably predicting global warming." His work remains central to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments, guiding global climate policy.

### Influence on Climate Science and Policy
By quantifying the CO₂-temperature relationship, Manabe provided policymakers with actionable data, bridging the gap between scientific research and public policy. His models underpin international climate agreements, emphasizing the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate catastrophic climate change.

### Interdisciplinary Impact
Manabe's integration of physics, chemistry, and geosciences into climate modeling set a new standard for Earth system science. His approach enabled more accurate predictions of regional climate impacts, from sea-level rise to extreme weather events, informing adaptation strategies worldwide.

### Continued Relevance
Manabe's foundational research remains a cornerstone of modern climate science. Contemporary models, such as those used in IPCC reports, build upon his early simulations, ensuring his legacy as a pioneer in understanding and addressing humanity's greatest environmental challenge.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [Source](https://scholar.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/manabe/files/curriculum_vitae_short_version.doc)
3. [Source](https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/about-ams/ams-awards-honors/awards/search-past-award-winners/)
4. [Source](http://www.environment-prize.com/laureates/by-year/1997/syukuru-manabe,-veerabhadran-ramanathan/)
5. [Source](http://www.blueplanetprize.org/en/projects/projects.html)
6. [Source](https://honors.agu.org/medals-awards/william-bowie/?sub=recipients)
7. Syukuro Manabe receives 2010 William Bowie Medal
8. [Source](https://www.fi.edu/laureates-search?keys=Benjamin%20Franklin%20Medal&field_subject_tid=All&field_award_tid=All&field_year_value=2015&field_year_value_1=2015)
9. [Source](https://www.crafoordprize.se/news/the-crafoord-prize-in-geosciences-2018/)
10. [Source](https://www.agu.org/honor-and-recognize/honors/union-medals/roger-revelle-medal)
11. [nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2021/press-release/)
12. [Source](https://www.crafoordprize.se/press_release/the-crafoord-prize-in-geosciences-2018)
13. [Source](https://www.asahi.com/corporate/award/asahi/12737983)
14. Mathematics Genealogy Project
15. [Source](https://dept.atmos.ucla.edu/alexhall/people/alex-hall)
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. Integrated Authority File
18. CiNii Research
19. www.ae-info.org
20. www.nasonline.org
21. [Source](http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/living-member-list.html)