Understanding and building upon pioneering work of Nobel Prize in Physics 2021 laureates Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann: From greenhouse effect to Earth system science and beyond

Abstract

AbstractThe Nobel Prize in Physics 2021 was awarded jointly to Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann, and Giorgio Parisi for their groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of complex systems. This is the first time that climate scientists were awarded the Nobel Physics Prize. Here, we present the evolution of climate science in the past ∼200 years and highlight the landmarks of the developments in advancing our understanding of climate change, placing the pioneering contributions of Manabe and Hasselmann into a historical perspective. The backbone of modern climate science is further discussed in the context of the development of the discipline from the discovery of the greenhouse effect to the formation of Earth system science. Perspectives on the future development of climate science are also presented.