The scientists from BSC's Global Health Resilience group have been recognised in the category of Environmental and Earth Sciences
The researchers from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) Rachel Lowe and Kim van Daalen, from the Global Health Resilience group of the Department of Earth Sciences, have been awarded the Ciutat de Barcelona 2024 prize in the category of Environmental and Earth Sciences. The distinction was announced by the mayor of the Catalan capital, Jaume Collboni, at a press conference held at the Barcelona City Council.
The jury of the awards composed of Isabelle Anguelovski (chair), Isabel Ruiz Mallen, Roser Maneja, Panagiota Kotsila and André Colonese, unanimously honoured Lowe and van Daalen for The Lancet Countdown Europe 2024 Report on Health and Climate Change, which highlights the negative impacts of climate change on human health, the delay in action by European countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and the missed opportunities to protect and improve health through climate action.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Barcelona City Award alongside Kim van Daalen. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and impact of our work in the Global Health Resilience Group and the Earth Sciences Department at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. It highlights our commitment, together with international partners and initiatives, to advancing innovative, actionable research at the intersection of climate and health, bridging the gap from science to policy," said Lowe, leader of BSC's Global Health Resilience group.
Van Daalen, a researcher in the same group, said: “It is a true privilege to share the Barcelona City Award with my dear colleague, Rachel Lowe. I am deeply grateful for this recognition, which affirms the crucial role that science plays in tackling the health impacts of climate change. This honor inspires us to continue our journey toward evidence-based policies and collaborative initiatives, towards a healthier and more resilient future for everyone.”
The Ciutat de Barcelona awards, presented annually by the Barcelona City Council since 1949, aim to acknowledge artistic, cultural and scientific creation linked to the city of Barcelona and have a financial endowment of 9,500 euros. This year, the city government has given specific treatment to the awards in scientific categories to highlight Barcelona's commitment to science and research.