The Canada Prize for Earth and Environmental Science will soon launch, bringing much-needed awareness to how Earth sciences can address global challenges
By Olivia Piché • Photography by Jared Sych
Earth and environmental sciences are vital to human life, providing an understanding of our planet and its processes. They inform us on how to best use critical resources and address environmental challenges such as carbon sequestration to lower emissions.
“Earth science matters to everything we do as living beings on this planet,” affirms Calgary geoscientist Ron Larson. Yet, despite its critical importance, there is no prize in this field at the same prestigious level as the Nobel Prize. In the 1980s, Calgary-based geologist and paleontologist Brian Norford had a vision to change that.
Despite several hurdles in the years that followed, Norford never let go of this vision. It is largely thanks to his steadfast belief and passion in the vitality of such an award that the Canada Prize for Earth and Environmental Science is finally coming to fruition.
An award years in the making
Decades ago, Norford and Donald Mustard, who was a renowned geologist, began drawing up the idea for the Canada Prize. “We talked about how important geology was, not only for minerals, oil and gas, and water, but also for the challenges that we were facing in Canada,” explains Norford.
The idea was that an understanding of Earth and environmental sciences can change the world. Recognizing achievements in the field — with a prize that would lend both international recognition and a significant monetary reward — would bring awareness to Earth and environmental sciences and encourage future accomplishments.
Other highly recognized experts, notably Michael Dence, Digby McLaren, Denis St-Onge and Ian Thomson, joined Norford and Mustard to set a plan in motion, but the founding group could not secure funding. The prize has been stuck in a holding pattern — until now.
Launching at last
Back in 2002, Norford established the Canada Prize Award Foundation Fund with Calgary Foundation, allowing the award to percolate. More than 20 years later, interest in the Canada Prize is finally gaining momentum.
“The idea of a significant prize for those in Earth sciences … appears to now resonate with donors in a way that even 24 months ago I was unsure about,” says Larson, who is the president of the Canada Prize Award Foundation.
That’s due in part to the official launch of the Canada Prize for Earth and Environmental Science at the 2028 International Geological Congress event, set to take place in Calgary. Calgary’s successful bid for the event included the launch of the Canada Prize with support from the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences.
After a rigorous selection process, the Canada Prize will spotlight groundbreaking scientific achievement in Earth sciences that improves human activity.
“It’s a recognition of the importance of understanding the blood, the bones and the breath of the planet as it changes,” explains Larson. “A prize of this nature will highlight the people who are doing that kind of fundamental work and bring awareness to it.”
Norford agrees. “Awareness will be very important as part of the role of the Canada Prize,” he says. “There are eight billion people across the world, and anything we can do to help cope with the challenges of materials [will make a difference]. We want people to be aware that Earth sciences can help with the challenges the world is facing.
December, 2025