zoom_in Click to enlarge

Syukuro Manabe

▲ ▼

description Syukuro Manabe Overview

Syukuro Manabe was a pioneering Japanese-American scientist whose research fundamentally advanced our understanding of Earth’s climate system. He developed some of the earliest and most sophisticated computer models demonstrating the link between increased carbon dioxide concentrations and global warming. His work proved critical in establishing the scientific basis for addressing climate change. Manabe's contributions earned him the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics, recognizing his significant impact on earth science and influencing climate modeling globally.

He is primarily relevant to climatologists, environmental scientists, and policymakers studying this complex issue.

help Syukuro Manabe FAQ

What did Syukuro Manabe's early climate model show about carbon dioxide?

Manabe and Richard Wetherald developed a one-dimensional atmospheric model showing that increased carbon dioxide warms the surface and lower atmosphere while cooling the stratosphere. Their influential results were published in 1967.

How did Manabe move from atmospheric columns to global climate models?

Manabe helped build three-dimensional models coupling atmospheric circulation with the ocean and land surface. These models allowed researchers to simulate geographic climate patterns rather than only a single vertical column.

Why did Syukuro Manabe receive the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics?

Manabe shared half of the 2021 prize with Klaus Hasselmann for physically modeling Earth's climate and reliably predicting global warming. Giorgio Parisi received the other half for work on complex physical systems.

Where did Syukuro Manabe conduct his foundational climate research?

Manabe conducted much of this work at the US government's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. He also became closely associated with Princeton University.