California Air Resources Board

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

John Birks, Ph.D.
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.
Chinese Academy of Sciences

At a critical time in China’s development, Dr. Cao was assessing and addressing aerosol pollution. He continues to be a prolific contributor to clean air research, policy, science, technology and education. 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 is being honored in the category of International Leadership.

William B. DeMore, Ph.D., retired 
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

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. He is being honored in the category of Research.

Janice E. Nolen, M.A.
American Lung Association

Ms. Nolen is a committed educator and 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 has contributed to several important national health policy victories. She is being honored in the category of Education.

Karl Taylor, Ph.D.
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. He is being honored in the Climate Change Science category.

Joy Williams, MPH
Environmental Health Coalition

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 has 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. She is being honored in the Community Service and Environmental Justice category.