Rajendra Pachauri & the IPCC

Nominated by: OneWorld editors

The IPCC delegation with Nobel Peace Prize Diploma and Gold Medal at the Oslo Town Hall. © IPCC

"I can't believe it. I'm overwhelmed," Dr. Rajendra Pachauri said after learning he would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year (alongside Al Gore, 2006 runner up for OneWorld's Person of the Year). "The [Nobel] committee is trying to tell the world we need to do something about climate change urgently."

According to the BBC, Dr. Pachauri said he was "just a symbol" and credit was due to his organisation and its efforts. "It is really the scientific community that contributes to the work of the IPCC and the governments who support the work of the IPCC who are really the winners of this award," he said, referring to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

"The [Nobel] committee is trying to tell the world we need to do something about climate change urgently."

The IPCC's self-described role is "to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open, and transparent basis the
scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation."

Hundreds of scientists contribute to the IPCC's work as they review the latest findings of thousands of other scientists and publish reports that guide chief policy makers grappling with global warming on a daily basis.

When it comes to climate change, 2006's work was largely public relational: Al Gore led the movement to convince the world that climate change is a major issue and human beings are largely responsible for the speed at which it is occurring. 2007's work was largely scientific: Pachauri and the IPCC team published its incontrovertible fourth report, drawing on more than six years of work by over 2500 scientific expert reviewers from over 130 countries, convincing the world that the science is indisputable and action must be taken immediately to avert even the most catastrophic consequences of human-induced climate change.

One can only hope that 2008's defining work will be political, as governments begin to implement the policies necessary to put the planet back on a path of healthy development.

OneWorld has developed a wealth of resources on climate change. For the latest news, analysis, and features, as well as background on the issue and ways to get involved, check out the Perspectives Magazine edition: "Climate Change: It's Changing Everything." To ask your questions and join up with others who care about climate change, try OneClimate.net, the "Climate Facebook.

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