Warren Washington's most significant achievement is his pioneering work in the field of computer modeling of the Earth's climate. In the early 1960s, he was among the first scientists to use computer models to simulate the Earth's climate, at a time when the field of climate modeling was in its infancy. He developed one of the first global climate models, which simulated the behavior of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans over time.
Washington's work was instrumental in advancing the understanding of the Earth's climate, and his models have been used to make predictions about the impacts of climate change on the planet. His work has helped to inform policy decisions on climate change, and has had a profound impact on the scientific community's understanding of the Earth's climate system.
In recognition of his pioneering work in climate modeling, Washington was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Barack Obama in 2010. He was the first African American to receive this prestigious award in the field of atmospheric science.