Indian author Amitav Ghosh has been awarded the prestigious Dutch Erasmus Prize for his significant contributions to highlighting the impact of climate change on humanity, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. The Erasmus Prize committee praised Ghosh for his profound exploration of climate change, acknowledging his ability to address this existential threat that often defies human imagination.

The €150,000 prize (approximately $157,000) is presented annually to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the humanities, social sciences, or arts, both in Europe and globally. This year, the award will be presented by Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday.

The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation emphasized Ghosh’s ability to link the effects of climate change with human destiny. His works, such as The Hungry Tide, illustrate the devastating impact of rising sea levels on the Sundarbans, while The Great Derangement places climate change within the broader contexts of war and trade. The Prize Committee also noted that through his deep understanding and imagination, Ghosh creates space for hope—an essential ingredient for driving change.