Indian-Origin Scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins 'Geology Nobel' for Climate Research

• Veerabhadran Ramanathan, an Indian-origin climate scientist, has been awarded the 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences, often called the 'Nobel of Earth Sciences'.
• His groundbreaking research in 1975 at NASA revealed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used in aerosols and refrigerators, are potent greenhouse gases, 10,000 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat.
• Ramanathan's journey began as an engineer in a fridge factory in Secunderabad, where he first encountered CFCs, before pursuing higher education at Annamalai University and IISc.
• His work includes the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX), identifying 'Atmospheric Brown Clouds' over South Asia and linking air pollution to weakening Indian monsoons and melting Himalayan glaciers.
• The award includes 8 million Swedish Kronor (approx. 7.5 crore Indian rupees) and a gold medal, to be presented in May 2026.

Why It Matters: Veerabhadran Ramanathan, an Indian-origin scientist, received the 'Geology Nobel' for his pivotal climate change research.