Ralph Cicerone was highly respected for both his research on atmospheric chemistry and for his influential leadership on related policy issues. He made important contributions to our understanding of the sources of greenhouse gases — particularly methane and nitrous oxide — and of the ozone layer and how human activities affect it.
In 2001, Ralph led a US National Academy of Sciences study on the current state of climate change and its impact on the environment and human health, as requested by President George W. Bush. Four years later, Ralph became the President of the academy. In this role, he gave invited testimony to both the US Senate and House of Representatives and also fostered strong links with the Royal Society.
Ralph’s research and policy contributions have been recognised with major awards. These include the Franklin Institute’s Bower Award for Achievement in Science in 1999, the 2002 American Geophysical Union Roger Revelle Medal, and the World Cultural Council’s Albert Einstein World Award of Science in 2004.
Professor Ralph Cicerone ForMemRS died on 5 November 2016.
