Susan Solomon, the Lee and Geraldine Professor of Environmental Studies at MIT, has been named the 2026 Tang Prize Laureate in Sustainable Development for her groundbreaking advances and leadership in atmospheric and climate sciences that shaped global policy for sustainable development. The Tang Prize is awarded biennially by judges from Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s top academic institution, recognizing excellence in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology, and rule of law.
Solomon stated, "The Tang Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in environmental science, and it’s flooring to anyone to learn that they received it. It’s a tremendous honor, and I’ll try to live up to it." She began her career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she gained prominence in 1985 after the discovery of an unexpected ozone hole over Antarctica. The following year, she published a novel chemical mechanism explaining this phenomenon and led a team of 16 scientists to measure the ozone layer's degradation, confirming the role of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in ozone depletion.
Her efforts contributed to the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a significant success in international climate policy. Solomon remarked, "The ozone story teaches us that we can actually develop international agreements and solve problems together."
From 2002 to 2008, she co-led the production of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, which assessed the impacts of human-caused climate change and was recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize. Solomon's research also revealed that human CO₂ emissions would lead to irreversible climate impacts for 1,000 years even after emissions ceased.
In 2012, she joined the faculty of EAPS, continuing her research on the ozone layer, recently finding quantitative proof that it is on track to recover by around 2035. "Most of the awards I’ve gotten previously have focused on the science that I did, but this one embraces the fact that my work benefits the planet’s sustainability," she said.
David McGee, head of the EAPS department, praised her as "a model of an engaged scientist," highlighting her significant impact on society’s health. Matthew D. Shoulders, a professor of chemistry, noted her pioneering work at the intersection of chemistry and environmental science.
Founded in 2012 by the late Samuel Yin, the Tang Prize Foundation honors outstanding contributions across various fields without regard to nationality or background. Each recipient receives approximately $1.6 million and a grant of about $320,000. Solomon is the second MIT faculty member to receive this award, following Feng Zhang, who won in 2016 for his role in developing the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system.
Blogger's Review: Susan Solomon's achievements exemplify not only scientific breakthroughs but also the vital role of international cooperation and policy influence. Her work highlights the intricate relationship between science and society, emphasizing the importance of scientists in tackling global challenges. This award undoubtedly inspires more researchers to engage with sustainability issues.