RIVERSIDE – The California Air Resources Board’s Clean Air Leadership Talks, featuring presentations on the work of all seven individual winners of the 2019 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award, are set to take place at 2 p.m. this Thursday, November 18, 2021. Thursday’s presentations will feature breakthrough solutions and research on subjects ranging from air pollution in China to the development of portable instruments that dramatically improved scientists’ capacity to measure and analyze atmospheric air quality. The awards will officially be bestowed during CARB’s regular board meeting Friday.

One winner will present in person (Dr. John Birks), three will give pre-recorded presentations (Dr. Stephen Andersen, Dr. Junji Cao and Dr. William DeMore), and a representative will talk about the important contributions to the advancement of clean air made by the remaining three awardees (Ms. Janice Nolen, Dr. Karl Taylor and Ms. Joy Williams).

When: 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 18, 2021

Where: The talks will be livestreamed and available for viewing later on CARB’s YouTube channel.

Note: Credentialed media who wish to attend the talks in person, RSVP to Melanie Turner.

Clean Air Leadership Talks

The Clean Air Leadership Talks feature a 10- to 12-minute talk by or about each of the 2019 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award recipients.

About the 2019 Haagen-Smit Award Winners

Stephen O. Andersen, Ph.D., Director of Research, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

Dr. Andersen has devoted more than 40 years to protecting the ozone layer and climate. Beyond his central role in establishing the Montreal Protocol’s initial protections for Earth’s stratospheric layer, he demonstrated courage, foresight and tenacity in realizing that treaty’s potential to also control climate-changing emissions. He is known for his optimism, fairness and productivity, inspiring countless others to solve important environmental problems. Dr. Andersen is being honored in the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award category of Environmental Policy.

John Birks, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder

Dr. Birks has advanced our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere through more than 40 years of research, teaching and technological innovation. His early work on the chemistry of chlorine helped unravel the complex processes of stratospheric ozone depletion. He is co-developer of the theory of “nuclear winter,” and developed a range of portable instruments that dramatically improved scientists’ capacity to measure and analyze atmospheric air quality. Dr. Birks is being honored in the Science and Technology category.

Junji Cao, Ph.D., Professor and President, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

At a critical time in China’s development, Dr. Cao was assessing and addressing aerosol pollution. His research focused on airborne particulates in major Chinese cities has helped to drive China’s air quality programs, improving the health of millions of people, while also reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. He continues to be a prolific contributor to clean air research, policy, science, technology and education. Dr. Cao is being honored in the category of International Leadership.

William B. DeMore, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Retired

The elder statesman of atmospheric chemistry, Dr. DeMore’s lifetime contributions to the measurement and modeling of atmospheric ozone cannot be overstated. His comprehensive knowledge of chemical kinetics and cool-headed scientific diplomacy were vital to the resolution of many important problems in analytical chemistry with high stakes for air quality management. Dr. DeMore is being honored in the category of Research.

Janice E. Nolen, M.A., (1954-2020), Director of Policy Development, American Lung Association

The late Ms. Nolen was a committed educator and tireless advocate for improving the respiratory health of all Americans by implementing and enforcing the Clean Air Act. The creative force behind the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air Report” for 20 years, she contributed to several important national health policy victories. Ms. Nolen is being honored in the category of Education.

Karl Taylor, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Dr. Taylor’s contributions — both in building essential infrastructure to improve climate modeling and through his own far-reaching research exposing differential forcing effects of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols — have helped make it possible for the climate science community to evaluate and improve climate change modeling, to distinguish human impacts on climate, and to estimate uncertainty in projections of future climate change. Dr. Taylor is being honored in the Climate Change Science category.

Joy Williams, MPH, Research Director, Environmental Health Coalition, Retired

Ms. Williams has devoted her career to empowering residents of disadvantaged communities to protect themselves and their environment from toxic pollutants. For more than 30 years, she taught others how to harness the power of science, community and advocacy to defend the right of all races, cultures and income levels to fair and respectful treatment in the development and implementation of environmental laws and policies. Ms. Williams is being honored in the Community Service and Environmental Justice category.

About the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards

The prestigious Haagen-Smit awards are given annually to those who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of clean air, climate change, technology and related policies. Considered to be California's premier air quality award, it is named for CARB’s first chairman, the late Dr. Arie Haagen-Smit — best known for linking the smog in Southern California to automobiles. The award recognizes those who have followed in his footsteps in pursuit of clean air. The Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards have been presented since 2001. Winners have ranged from research scientists to educators to public agency administrators.

More Information