22 October 2007
On October 18, Dr. Susan Solomon was presented with the 2007 Lowell Thomas Award of the Explorers Club. She was recognized for "...contribution to humankinds' understanding of climate change phenomenon." Susan's accomplishments have spanned several decades, marked very notably by her discovery of the cause of the Antarctic ozone hole in the 1980s and her recent work (since 2001) as Cochair of the scientific Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Her many pioneering achievements are a good fit with the Explorers Club's award, which recognizes outstanding explorers who have distinguished themselves in a particular field. Dr. Richard Feely of PMEL also received the award for his research on the role of the oceans in the carbon cycle and the potential consequences of ocean acidification.
Background: The Lowell Thomas Award is named for 53-year club member Lowell Thomas (1892-1981), the American writer, explorer, and broadcaster who accompanied T.E. Lawrence during the Arab revolts and made "Lawrence of Arabia" famous. Previous recipients have included Isaac Asimov, Sylvia Earle, Carl Sagan, Buzz Aldrin, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Sir Edmund Hillary, and Wade Davis.
Significance: The award recognizes Susan's longstanding contributions to the success of NOAA's mission objectives in the Climate Goal. The award also gives a very visible example of the endeavors of NOAA Research scientists to achieve and maintain preeminence in research.