Boston College Professor Hanqin Tian has been awarded the prestigious Bert Bolin Award and Lecture by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), a recognition that celebrates his pioneering contributions and leadership in the field of global environmental change. This honor, named after the renowned Swedish meteorologist Bert Bolin, the first chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), highlights Tian’s trailblazing work at the intersection of climate science and sustainability. Tian is slated to deliver the Bert Bolin Lecture at the upcoming AGU25 annual meeting in New Orleans, an event that annually gathers the world’s leading Earth and space scientists.
Holding the position of Director at the Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability at Boston College, Tian embodies interdisciplinary scholarship. His roles extend to being an Institute Professor at the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society and a Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Furthermore, Tian spearheads the Global Carbon Project’s Boston Office (GCP-Boston), which promotes international collaboration to untangle complex global systems like carbon and nitrogen cycling. These efforts emphasize the food–energy–water nexus and sustainable food systems, bridging rigorous scientific discovery with actionable sustainability practices.
Professor Tian’s scientific career is distinguished by integrating multifaceted approaches that reveal new insights into the Earth’s coupled human-environment systems. His recognition by AGU underscores the essential role of interdisciplinary research to tackle today’s most profound environmental challenges. Tian articulates that this award reaffirms the critical importance of science in guiding policy and practical solutions aimed at enhancing human well-being while honoring planetary boundaries.
As the largest association of Earth and space scientists worldwide, AGU’s Honors and Recognition program annually spotlights exceptional contributions that have transformed scientific understanding and societal impact. Individuals like Tian, whose work spans research, education, and communication, exemplify the caliber of innovation driving forward knowledge on climate and sustainable futures. These contributions have not only advanced science but also generated practical implications for stewarding Earth’s ecosystems amid accelerating environmental change.
Professor Tian’s work is known for its originality and rigor in elucidating biogeochemical cycles and their integral roles within the climate system. With over 420 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 70,000 citations to date—reflected in an impressive H-index of 119—he ranks among the top echelon of climate scientists globally. His influence has been noted by Reuters, which named him as one of the most impactful figures in climate science. Additionally, his election as a Fellow of AGU, the Ecological Society of America, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science underscores the broad recognition of his scientific leadership.
Among Tian’s critical scientific achievements is his landmark 2016 Nature publication, which fundamentally reshaped understandings of the biosphere’s role in climate dynamics. By framing the biosphere not merely as a passive respondent but as an active participant in climate change processes, this work influenced subsequent global climate assessments and policy dialogues. Complementing this, his 2020 Nature paper offered the most comprehensive global quantification of nitrous oxide sources and sinks—an essential greenhouse gas often overshadowed by carbon dioxide but with significant warming potential and relevance to international climate frameworks.
More recently, Tian’s groundbreaking research on the elusive land–ocean interface has resolved longstanding challenges by identifying previously overlooked lateral greenhouse gas fluxes. This advance is crucial for balancing global carbon and nitrogen budgets, critically closing gaps in our understanding of net fluxes between terrestrial ecosystems and oceans. Such insights refine models that inform climate projections and help formulate robust mitigation strategies sensitive to complex Earth system feedbacks.
The Bert Bolin Award situates Tian among an elite group of scientists whose work transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries to inspire new solutions for equity, sustainability, and resilience in an era of unprecedented environmental transformation. His forthcoming lecture at AGU25 will spotlight these breakthrough themes, stimulating a global scientific community intent on connecting discovery with societal impact. The event also features an Honors Reception themed “Where Science Connects Us,” spotlighting individuals who forge pathways toward integrated, innovative solutions for the planet’s most urgent challenges.
Founded in 1863, Boston College remains a leader in fostering interdisciplinary inquiry grounded in Jesuit values emphasizing the development of intellectual rigor and ethical responsibility. Tian’s achievements exemplify this mission by linking rigorous scientific investigation to broader social and environmental stewardship. His leadership exemplifies the role academic institutions play in navigating the complexities of Earth system science in ways that promote sustainable futures for humanity.
The American Geophysical Union, which supports more than half a million Earth and space scientists globally, upholds values of inclusivity, equity, and scientific integrity. AGU’s diverse programs encompass scholarly publishing, collaborative events, and career development, all aligned with creating ethical, unbiased, and community-respecting science. The organization’s commitment to sustainability is exemplified by its net-zero energy facility and dedicated Ethics and Equity Center, fostering a more diverse and responsible geoscience community.
Professor Hanqin Tian’s career trajectory and scientific contributions represent a beacon for future generations of climate researchers, demonstrating how high-impact science can resonate beyond academia to influence global climate policy and sustainability initiatives. His work not only advances the frontiers of Earth system science but also serves as an essential bridge to actionable knowledge on food security, carbon stewardship, and integrated environmental management in an era defined by rapid anthropogenic change.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the interdisciplinary, quantitatively rigorous, and policy-relevant nature of Tian’s work will remain indispensable. By pushing the frontier of understanding on biogeochemical cycles, greenhouse gas dynamics, and sustainable systems, he exemplifies a transformative scientific voice championing the integration of human and planetary health. This recognition by AGU not only honors a distinguished scientist but also underscores the ongoing imperative to connect science and society through innovative research and resilient leadership.
Subject of Research: Global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, climate systems, carbon and nitrogen cycles, sustainable food systems
Article Title: Boston College’s Hanqin Tian Honored with AGU’s Bert Bolin Award for Groundbreaking Research in Global Environmental Change
News Publication Date: September 25, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.agu.org/honors/bolin
- https://www.agu.org/annual-meeting
- https://mediasvc.eurekalert.org/Api/v1/Multimedia/a8f8ad77-6866-4ef1-b404-d3436d19ce18/Rendition/low-res/Content/Public
Image Credits: Boston College
Keywords: Climate change, Climate data, Climate sensitivity, Climate systems, Earth climate, Carbon, Carbon cycle
