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Sir John T. Houghton
John Houghton High Wycombe 20050226.jpg
Sir John Houghton speaking at a climate change conference in 2005
Born (1931-12-30)30 December 1931
Dyserth, Wales, U.K.
Died 15 April 2020(2020-04-15) (aged 88)
Nationality British
Alma mater Jesus College, Oxford (B.A., 1951, M.A, 1955, PhD, 1955)
Awards The Chree Medal and Prize (1979)
Japan Prize (2006)
Albert Einstein World Award of Science (2009)
Scientific career
Fields Atmospheric physics
Institutions

Sir John Theodore Houghton (born December 30, 1931 – died April 15, 2020) was a very important Welsh scientist. He studied the Earth's atmosphere, which is why he was called an atmospheric physicist. He helped lead a big group called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This group won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work.

Sir John was a main editor for the first three IPCC reports. These reports helped the world understand climate change. He was also a professor at the University of Oxford. He led the Met Office and started the Hadley Centre. Both are important places for weather and climate science in the UK. Sir John Houghton passed away on April 15, 2020, at 88 years old.

Sir John Houghton's Life and Work

Sir John Houghton was born in Wales in 1931. He loved science and went to Jesus College, Oxford to study. He earned several degrees there. After finishing his studies, he became a professor at the University of Oxford. He taught about the physics of the atmosphere. This field looks at how the air around Earth works.

Leading Climate Science

Sir John Houghton became a very important leader in climate science. He was the Director General of the Met Office. This is the UK's national weather service. It provides forecasts and climate information. He also started the Hadley Centre. This center focuses on climate change research. It helps us understand how our planet's climate is changing.

The IPCC and Its Impact

One of Sir John's biggest roles was with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He was a co-chair of this group. The IPCC is made up of thousands of scientists from all over the world. They study climate change and write reports about it. These reports help governments make decisions about how to protect our planet.

Sir John was a lead editor for the first three IPCC reports. These reports were very important. They showed clear evidence that the Earth's climate was warming. They also explained that human activities were causing this warming. Because of their work, the IPCC won the Nobel Peace Prize. Sir John's efforts helped the world understand the serious challenge of climate change.

A Legacy of Understanding

Sir John Houghton was also a Christian. He believed that science and faith could work together. He wrote books and spoke often about the importance of protecting the Earth. He thought it was our duty to care for the planet. His work helped many people understand climate change better. He showed that it was a real and urgent problem.

Sir John Houghton died in 2020 at the age of 88. He left behind a huge legacy. His work continues to guide scientists and leaders today. He helped us all understand our planet's climate and how to protect it for the future.

See also

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