Members of the Sullivan Award selection committee wrote, with regard to Appenzeller's article, that it was "clearly and intelligently written, drawing the reader into the story without unnecessary jargon. The carbon cycle is an important topic for the public to be aware of, and this article presented a wide breadth of material in a balanced manner, clearly differentiating between opinion and fact. While many authors have written about the general topic of global warming, Appenzeller's article boldly and clearly deals with the processes driving it. 'The Case of the Missing Carbon' is an excellent example of science writing that is clearly written, extensively documented, very informative, and fun to read."
Appenzeller's Sullivan Award winning article may be read at http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0402/feature5/online_extra.html
The Perlman Award selection committee said Kluger's article,'Secrets of the Rings,' is a vivid and scientifically accurate account of the initial Cassini encounter with Saturn. It communicates the scientific discoveries and the intrigue of the encounter and provides an excellent account of the evolution of the scientific process, in which discovery is almost always accompanied by new, exciting questions. The article also introduces the public to some of the emerging issues confronting space science today, including the debate over manned vs. robotic missions and the collaborative scientific teaming with international partners in a time of limited budgets and strained relations with other nations."
The two AGU journalism awards will be presented on May 25, during Honors Evening at the AGU-NABS-SEG-SPD/AAS Joint Assembly in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual Sullivan and Perlman Awards are named for Walter Sullivan, late science editor of The New York Times, and David Perlman, science editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, respectively. The awards consist of a plaque and a $2,000 stipend.