The Alliance of World Scientists’ (AWS) Planet Earth Award acknowledges individuals who champion life on Earth. These individuals demonstrate exceptional creativity or contributions in their work in science or science-based advocacy with the public, policymakers, or other groups seeking solutions to environmental challenges. The award will recognize individual people or be shared by two or more people. Click here for more details.
Prof. Mike Berners-Lee
United Kingdom
Prof. Mike Berners-Lee thinks, writes, researches and consults on sustainability and responses to the challenges of the twenty-first century. He is a professor at Lancaster University where his research includes carbon metrics, the global food system and the impact of technology. He is the founder of Small World Consulting, which works with organisations of every size to address the challenges of the Anthropocene. His latest book, A Climate of Truth, takes both a big-picture and deep-dive approach to the polycrisis, exploring our failures so far in order to uncover the point of greatest leverage for those seeking change. His other best-selling books include How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything and There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make-or-Break Years. Learn more about Prof. Mike Berners-Lee. See press release for details.
Dr. Michael E. Mann
United States
Dr. Michael E. Mann is a Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, with a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication. He directs the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media. A leading climate scientist, Mann is known for his "hockey stick" graph showing the sharp rise in global temperatures over the past century. His work has advanced understanding of human-induced climate change and the need for action to mitigate its effects. He has received numerous honors, including the Award for Public Engagement with Science and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. In 2020, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and in 2024, to the Royal Society. His upcoming book, Science Under Siege, is co-authored with Peter Hotez. Learn more about Dr. Michael E. Mann. See press release for details.
Dr. Katherine Richardson
Denmark
Dr. Katherine Richardson is a professor in biological oceanography at the University of Copenhagen who, for more than three decades, has actively contributed to the development of Earth system science. She is one of the main architects behind the “planetary boundaries” framework and led the 2023 update that now has been downloaded over half a million times. She is active at the science-policy and science-society interfaces and chaired the Commission that produced a plan for how Denmark can be independent of fossil fuels. She was a member of the Independent Group of Scientists that prepared the 2019 UN Global Sustainable Development Report and currently chairs the High-level EU Expert group on the economic and societal impact of research and innovation (ESIR). Learn more about Dr. Katherine Richardson. See press release for details.
Dr. Walfrido Moraes Tomas
Brazil
Dr. Walfrido Moraes Tomas has been a researcher at the Embrapa Pantanal Research Center in Brazil since 1990, where he has published over 200 articles, chapters, and books on topics including wildlife conservation, biodiversity management, landscape ecology, sustainability indicators, impact evaluation, and public policy. His major research projects have focused on sustainable ranching practices and combating wetland caiman poaching in Brazil. In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Tomas plays an active role in shaping Brazilian environmental legislation, particularly at the federal and state levels. He also represents Brazil at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where he advocates for biodiversity indicators for agricultural landscapes, working to integrate environmental sustainability with agricultural practices at an international scale. Learn more about Dr. Walfrido Moraes Tomas
Dr. Flora Vincent
Germany
Dr. Flora Vincent is a marine scientist and group leader at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany. Her research focuses on microbial interactions, such as symbiosis and viral infection, and their effects on phytoplankton, which are key to the ocean food web. She combines laboratory experiments with ocean expeditions, developing single-cell approaches in microbial ecology. Dr. Vincent coordinated major scientific efforts, including the 'Gayoso' expedition on coccolithophore blooms off Argentina and the 15-month TREC expedition involving over 150 EU scientists to collect metadata across coastal gradients. A core member of the Plankton Manifesto editorial team, she fosters international collaboration on climate change and inspires the next generation through initiatives like the Tara Foundation educational programme and children's literature. Learn more about Dr. Flora Vincent. See press release for details.
Dr. S Faizi
India
Dr. S Faizi is an eminent environmental scientist and global policy expert from India. He has played a pivotal role in articulating the global South's stance on key environment and development issues, often overcoming opposition from Western negotiators at UN environmental conferences. Dr. Faizi’s accomplishments include important contributions to landmark global events such as the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) and the Convention on Biological Diversity. His efforts have ranged from advocating for national sovereignty over biodiversity to proposing the creation of a UN Environmental Security Council. More recently, this former anti-Apartheid activist has campaigned for nuclear disarmament and democratizing the UN Security Council. He has made significant contributions to forest conservation, biodiversity research, and supporting indigenous rights. Learn more about Dr. S Faizi
Dr. James Hansen
United States
Dr. James Hansen is a prominent climate scientist who lives in the United States. He gained recognition for his pioneering research on climate change during his past work at NASA that continues through today. Dr. Hansen played a key role in raising awareness about the human impact on the Earth's climate, particularly through his testimony before the U.S. Congress. Dr. Hansen has been an advocate for rapid action to mitigate climate change, urging governments and the public to address the environmental challenges facing the planet, and even engaging in non-violent civil disobedience. He continues to work in climate science, as a consultant for youth climate cases, has a climate change newsletter, and recently led a paper assessing global warming in the pipeline. Learn more about Dr. James Hansen
Dr. Denise Margaret S. Matias
The Philippines
Dr. Denise Margaret S. Matias, originally from the Philippines, is a Professor at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development in Germany, and a notable advocate for environmental policies. She has worked to preserve honey bee diversity and carried out a project with the Tagbanua Indigenous people to restore giant honey bee habitat by planting native species. She has also worked extensively with environmental groups, including Conservation International and Greenpeace Southeast Asia. In addition to ecology, Dr. Matias has published work on climate adaptation and slow-onset climate events. Dr. Matias has consistently prioritized outreach and science-based advocacy through interviews, social media, and presentations to diverse audiences. Learn more about Dr. Denise Margaret S. Matias
Dr. Kimberly Nicholas
Sweden
Dr. Kimberly Nicholas is a sustainability scientist at Lund University in Sweden and a prominent figure in the field of climate and sustainability. She has published many articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, and also contributes to mainstream publications like Elle, The Guardian, Scientific American, and New Scientist. Dr. Nicholas is author of the bestselling book "Under the Sky We Make: How to be Human in a Warming World” and she shares her insights through a monthly climate newsletter, “We Can Fix It.” Apart from her academic contributions, Dr. Nicholas is actively engaged in public speaking and frequently lectures at international meetings. Additionally, she serves as an expert commentator for many media interviews annually, and her work has been featured in outlets including The Washington Post, BBC, WIRED, and Politico. Learn more about Dr. Kimberly Nicholas
Dr. Jamie Pittock
Australia
Dr. Jamie Pittock is a Professor at the Australian National University and former Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature – International’s Global Freshwater Program. He is a dedicated champion of freshwater conservation, making impactful strides through his academic studies and science-based communications to colleagues, policy makers, and the public. Through outreach efforts with books, blogs, presentations, and videos, he communicates the urgency of conserving freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity in the context of the pressing challenges posed by climate change. He consistently offers informed commentary on how to better manage increasingly scarce water resources to benefit people and nature. His commitment to bridging academic research with practical solutions underscores his role as a catalyst for positive change in freshwater conservation, providing significant impacts linking scientific understanding to public and policy engagement. Learn more about Dr. Jamie Pittock
Dr. Fernando Valladares
Spain
Dr. Fernando Valladares is a distinguished figure in the field of Biological Sciences, serving as a Research Professor at the Spanish National Research Council in Spain. He has made significant contributions to ecology and plant biology, including hundreds of scientific articles and several books. Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dr. Valladares is actively involved in science-based climate advocacy, employing various platforms such as social networks, a personal blog, and a YouTube channel. His influential role extends to political spheres, as seen in his intervention in the Congress of Deputies within the ecological transition commission. He contributes regularly to media outlets, engages in Rebelión Científica (Scientist Rebellion), and participates in interviews on radio and television programs with broad audiences. Learn more about Dr. Fernando Valladares
Award Information
Eligibility
Scientists are eligible for the Planet Earth award.
Selection criteria
The recipient (or recipients) of the award will be a scientist who meets at least the first criterion:
- [Required] Engaged in applied science or science-based advocacy with other scientists, the public, policymakers, or other groups about one or more environmental challenges.
- [Optional] Demonstrates exceptional creativity, contributions, or impact in their work.
- [Optional] Their work and outcomes are grounded in justice or related ideas.
Science advocacy can take many forms, including public outreach and education, policy advocacy, community engagement, conducting applied science, defending scientific integrity, and support for research and innovation. It seeks to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the broader public, encouraging dialogue, understanding, and support for scientific endeavors.
Nomination procedure
We use a two-step nomination process:
- Send in a nomination letter of no more than 1 page that describes the nominee and addresses at least the first selection criterion as an email to: scientistswarning@oregonstate.edu (no self-nominations are accepted). Additionally, please provide a one paragraph (< 125 words) summary of the nominee. For example summaries, see the Laureates section.
- Submitted nomination letters will be evaluated and ranked by a committee of AWS members.
We seek nominations of individuals who work or have impacts anywhere in the world and at any scale (local to global). Our goal is to empower people by recognizing their work, and as such, we encourage nominations of people representing underserved populations.
Deadlines
Late this year, we will be requesting nominations for the 2026 awards.
About the AWS
The AWS provides the collective international voice of thousands of scientists regarding the global climate crisis and environmental trends with the intent to turn accumulated knowledge into action. Scientists from all disciplines are invited to join the AWS. There are currently more than 26,000 scientist members.