Nobel Price 2021: Who Won the Physics Award?

Three scientists have received the 2021 Nobel Prize in physics for their work on complex physical systems related to the Earth’s climate. Through their findings, they helped us understand more about the functioning of such systems and how to predict their behavior.

The winners were Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann, and Giorgio Parisi, who split the prize. Half of it was awarded to Manabe and Hasselmann for their modeling of Earth’s climate. Parisi received the other half for his discovery of interactions between disorders and fluctuations in physical systems.

Dr. Manabe’s work originated in 1967 when he developed a computer model showing the link between carbon dioxide and atmospheric warming. From this model, the scientist created more complex representations, including the connection between the ocean’s conditions and the atmosphere.

Many years after Manabe’s foundational model, Dr. Hasselmann explored related concepts. He created a model linking short-term climate events with long-term phenomena, which served as the groundwork for many studies in his field. His work has proved quite useful in investigations regarding the influence of climate change on specific events, such as droughts or heat waves.

Meanwhile, Parisi’s work focused on identifying patterns in the apparently random behavior of solid materials. With his research, he could express them mathematically, making it possible to understand and describe these trends.

Scientists have worked for decades trying to predict the long-term behavior of physical systems, a task that can seem impossible. This is where the importance of these scientists’ work lies, especially in our current times.

Models like theirs have been crucial for understanding global warming and its effects. Their climate representations have been used as evidence for our Earth’s state, inspiring political decisions. Therefore, it is worth noting the timing of this recognition.

As world leaders prepare for a crucial UN climate conference, this award highlights the significance of environmental research, while serving as proof of the climate emergency. “We have to act now in a very fast way and not with a strong delay,” said Parisi when asked about the timing.

Thors Hans Hansson, the chair of the Nobel committee for physics, recognized the importance the models have for demonstrating our climate situation. He said: “The discoveries being recognized this year show that our knowledge about the climate rests on a solid scientific foundation, based on rigorous analysis of observations. This year’s laureates have all contributed to us gaining deeper insight into the properties and evolution of complex physical systems.”

Bibliography

Abbany, Z. (2021, October 5) Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann and Giorgio Parisi win 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics. [Photograph] DW. https://www.dw.com/en/syukuro-manabe-klaus-hasselmann-and-giorgio-parisi-win-2021-nobel-prize-in-physics/a-59402105

Elmehed, N. (n.d.) The Nobel Prize in Physics 2021. [Photograph]. Nobel Prize Organization. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2021/press-release/

Geddes, L. (2021, October 5) Trio of scientists win Nobel prize for physics for climate work. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/oct/05/nobel-prize-physics-scientists-sykuro-manabe-klaus-hasselmann-giorgio-parisi-win-climate

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Metz, C., et. al. (2021, October 5) Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded for Study of Humanity’s Role in Changing Climate. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/science/nobel-prize-physics-manabe-klaus-parisi.html

Rincon, P. (2021, October 5) Nobel in physics: Climate science breakthroughs earn prize. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58790160