This year, in light of the spread of COVID-19, we decided to cancel the Blue Planet Prize award ceremony and related events. In place of the in-person events, we have opened this special site to showcase the achievements of this year’s winners.

Please allow me to express my heartfelt appreciation to His Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince, as well as to the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Environment of Japan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States Embassy in Japan, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka for sending celebratory messages for the winners.

I congratulate this year’s Blue Planet Prize winners Prof. Veerabhadran Ramanathan and Prof. Mohan Munasinghe. While it was not possible to invite you both to Japan and congratulate you in person, I am sure that people around the world, including those that visit this site, are applauding you for having won the award.

Established in 1933, the Asahi Glass Foundation has been providing research grants and scholarships, as well as conferring the Blue Planet Prize, an international award regarding the global environment. Concern over the global environmental issues has increased in recent years, and we sincerely hope that the Blue Planet Prize contributes in some way to resolving those issues.

Takuya Shimamura, Chairman
The Asahi Glass Foundation

Restoration of the Earth’s environment is one of the most imminent problems that humans need to resolve. In 1992, the year of the Earth Summit, in the hope of the restoration of the global environment, the Asahi Glass Foundation established the Blue Planet Prize, an international environmental award that recognizes the contribution of individuals or organizations in the resolution of global environmental problems. The award’s name was inspired by the remark “the Earth is blue,” uttered by the first human in space, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, upon viewing our planet.

Looking back, winners were selected from various research fields; global warming, climate change, biodiversity, hydrology, and elements of the social system such as economics and law. With a scientific viewpoint in mind, the target of this prize has shifted from environmental warning through observation/analysis to action like cross-sectoral collaboration to solve the problems.

We sincerely hope that through the commendation program, this prize will go a long way to resolve global environmental problems that humans face.

Hiroyuki Yoshikawa
Presentation Committee Chairman

I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the laureates of the 30th Blue Planet Prize, Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan of the United States of America, and Professor Mohan Munasinghe of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Professor Ramanathan has spent several decades investigating the planetary heat-trapping and air polluting effects of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), as distinct from CO₂, which is a long-lived climate pollutant (LLCP). His investigations have shown that reducing SLCPs, typically methane and black carbon, can rapidly reduce global warming and significantly improve air pollution. He has subsequently taken the initiative in global actions to reduce SLCPs.

Professor Munasinghe pioneered the ‘Sustainomics’ framework which views development issues from economic, environmental, and social perspectives. He has used environmental economics and policies to develop practical applications, including 'balanced inclusive green growth', which calls for each country to take a sustainable development path in line with its stage of development, and 'millennium consumption goals', which ask the affluent to observe voluntary consumption goals.
I wish to express my deepest respect to the two laureates for their remarkable achievements on this occasion.

It is particularly meaningful to acknowledge that the two laureates have maintained their rare thirst for knowledge and their outstanding powers of action over many years, during which they have sounded the alarm to modern civilization and society, and have mapped out a course for future human activities. I earnestly hope that this year’s laureates, along with other individuals who have deeply considered environmental issues, will continue to play a leading role in realizing a sustainable global environment and improving people’s livelihoods.

The Blue Planet Prize Award Ceremony and related events have not been possible for the second year in succession because of COVID-19. While it is a matter of great regret that I am unable to speak in person with Professor Ramanathan and Professor Munasinghe as well as the other attendees at the Award Ceremony, I very much look forward to the two laureates visiting Japan when the situation permits, and to having an opportunity to gain more knowledge in person of their admirable research and their other activities.

The Blue Planet Prize was established in 1992 to honor those with distinguished achievements in science and technology serving towards the resolution of global issues. Its distinguished past recipients include Dr. Syukuro Manabe, a recipient of the 1st Blue Planet Prize, among other individuals and organizations who have been prominent in various parts of the world. In concluding my address for this 30th Blue Planet Prize, I hope that this Prize will continue to heighten environmental awareness worldwide, and consequently create momentum for action.

I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan and Professor Mohan Munasinghe on winning the 30th Blue Planet Prize. My gratitude also goes out to everyone who helps make the Prize possible.

Since its inception in 1992, the Blue Planet Prize has recognized individuals and organizations who have made important contributions toward resolving global environmental issues—problems that the entire world needs to unite in addressing.

Professor Ramanathan’s extensive research has shown that chlorofluorocarbons have much higher potential for greenhouse effects than CO₂ and that reducing the amounts of soot and other air pollutants rapidly curbs global warming. He has also led the way in global efforts to reduce key pollutants.

Professor Munasinghe pioneered the concept of “Sustainomics,” which views development from economic, environmental, and social perspectives. The framework now serves as a foundation for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, for the global community.

In addition to showing my deepest respect for the vital accomplishments this year’s recipients have made, I would also like to extend my gratitude to all those who have made the Blue Planet Prize a powerful, enduring platform for underscoring the need to protect our global environment. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Fumio Kishida
Prime Minister of Japan

I extend my warmest congratulations to Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan on receiving the 2021 Blue Planet Prize for his decades-long work on climate effects of non-CO₂ pollutants, including the role of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and black carbon research. As the world faces the urgent challenge of the climate crisis, his findings show that reductions in SLCPs can significantly reduce climate impacts and provide immediate health benefits by improving air quality. His richly deserved selection as a Blue Planet Prize recipient highlights his invaluable work and innovative contributions to science and to the well-being of humankind and the environment. We appreciate the Asahi Glass Foundation for recognizing his important work.

Climate change is affecting every country on every continent and urgent action is required to address this global crisis. I offer my deep thanks to Professor Ramanathan for his significant accomplishments and look forward to his continued leadership in the field of climate science.

Raymond F. Greene
Charge d’Affaires, a.i.

Dear Prof. Munasinghe,

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you as one of the two 2021 Blue Planet Prize Winners as the Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Japan.

It also gives me pride that the foundation for your scholastic as well as professional achievements roots are from Sri Lanka's free education system which we both share. I commend you for the many decades of service rendered to your motherland, the achievements and awards received which is a validation of the important work you continue to facilitate.

Your research and focus on "sustainomics" framework and its approach to integrate economic, social and environment is a natural synergy to the vision of the Blue Planet Prize objectives which you have deservedly earned.

My best wishes to you and your Munasinghe Institute for Sustainable Development to continue with the Projects that will environmentally sustain the World we live.

Sincerely,

Sanjiv Gunasekara
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka

It is my great honor to extend my heartfelt congratulations to both Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan and Professor Mohan Munasinghe for winning the 2021 Blue Planet Prize. I deeply admire their accomplishments, as this award honors outstanding contributions to global environmental science.

Professor Ramanathan has spent over 45 years investigating and demonstrating the climate impacts of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) including methane, HFCs, tropospheric ozone, and black carbon.
His scientific findings were instrumental in the establishment of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC), of which Japan is a State Partner. The Ministry of the Environment, Japan has notably been an active supporter in the formulation of the “Air Pollution in Asia and the Pacific: Science-based solutions” by the CCAC and the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP).
Professor Ramanathan’s invaluable scientific findings greatly contributed to science-based global climate mitigation efforts.

Professor Munasinghe pioneered, at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the ‘Sustainomics’ framework which views human development issues from environment, social, and economic perspectives. This Sustainomics framework led to the development of innovative concepts such as ‘Balanced Inclusive Green Growth’ (BIGG) and ‘Millennium Consumption Goals’ (MCGs).
In his capacity as Vice Chair and lead author of the IPCC, Professor Munasinghe has led the way for the integration of sustainable development to climate change responses. He has also shown leadership in putting innovative, comprehensive, and transdisciplinary research knowledge into action.
Professor Munasinghe’s research and initiatives have undoubtedly paved the way for the Redesign of our socio-economic system toward a sustainable development over this decade.

The research and achievements resulting from their continuous efforts will serve as a beacon for those of us in the forefront of tackling global issues. The Ministry of the Environment will continue its progress to ensure that future generations can inherit a healthy planet and society.

This year’s Nobel laureate in Physics, Professor Syukuro Manabe, is also the first recipient of the Blue Planet Prize. I sincerely hope that the Blue Planet Prize will continue to contribute to the dissemination of advanced research and initiatives addressing environmental issues, and I look forward to many more accomplishments from both laureates.

Tsuyoshi Michael YAMAGUCHI
Minister of the Environment, Japan

Dear Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan, dear Ram,

As a loyal and exceptional member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences which you have been since your appointment in 2004 by Pope St John Paul II, I am delighted that you are recognized for providing fundamental insights into the roles of clouds, water vapor, aerosols, and key gases in climate change.

Your findings have led to major climate mitigation actions from local (California) to global levels (UN’s Climate and Clean Air Coalition). I am especially happy about your role as science advisor to the Holy Father’s delegation to the 2015 Paris Climate summit.

What your colleague Paul Crutzen, PAS Academician and Nobel Laureate, wrote in a 2009 letter to the Tyler Prize Foundation, still holds true: “I currently consider Dr. Ramanathan as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, climate researcher”.

Last but not least, I praise you for devoting your career to the plight of the poorest three billion people who will suffer the most from global warming.

Yours sincerely,

Monsignor Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo
Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences

Prof. Mohan Munasinghe

I congratulate Prof. Mohan Munasinghe with great pleasure, on his selection as 2021 Blue Planet Prize laureate, for having contributed significantly to the resolution of global environmental problems. This is the premier global environmental sustainability award bestowed by the Asahi Glass Foundation of Japan, to build a better future.

Prof. Munasinghe, Chairman of Munasinghe Institute for Development (MIND), launched the trans-disciplinary 'Sustainomics' framework, and sustainable development triangle (environment, society, economy), at the 1992 U.N. Rio Earth Summit. He showed leadership by implementing such concepts worldwide for five decades in many fields, including energy, water, environmental economics and policy, poverty alleviation, c1imate change and sustainable development. His scientific work contributed to two major global policy triumphs in 2015 - the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Paris Climate Accord.

Prof. Munasinghe was Vice Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, and led IPCC work in integrating sustainable development and climate change.

In Sri Lanka, I recall with gratitude the services he provided as Chief Energy Advisor, when I was the Minister of Power and Energy in 2001. We overcame severe national electricity blackouts by applying award-winning integrated national energy planning methods pioneered by him in the 1980s.

I wish Prof. Munasinghe continued success in his efforts to make our planet more sustainable for all.

With regards!

Honourable Karu Jayasuriya
Former Speaker of Parliament, Sri Lanka