Taipei, June 18 (CNA) James Hansen and Veerabhadran Ramanathan, both from the United States, were named the winners of the third Tang Prize in sustainable development Monday for their pioneering work on climate change and its impact on the earth's sustainability.

Hansen, director of the Program on Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions of Columbia University's Earth Institute, is known for his scientific achievement and forthright public communication of science that has led to action for the benefit of humanity, the Tang Prize Foundation said.

He was awarded the prize "for sounding the alarm on climate change, elucidating the physics of climate forcings and feedbacks, quantifying the dangers of global warming, and tirelessly advocating for meaningful action and solutions," the Tang Prize citation said.

Ramanathan was born in India and currently holds the positions of Victor C. Alderson Professor of Applied Ocean Sciences and director of the Center for Clouds, Chemistry and Climate at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego.

Ramanathan won the prize "for making seminal contributions to our fundamental understanding of climate change and impacts of air pollution, and taking direct action to advocate and facilitate effective mitigation policies," the citation said.

The laureates will each receive a cash prize of NT$20 million (US$665,900) and a research grant of NT$5 million, as well as a medal and a certificate.

(By Lee Hsin-Yin)
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