Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D.

I’m a nature-based solutions scientist. I write about new science coming out on NBS and urban sustainability, and my own projects. Tweets are my own.

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

That’s it, I am heading for greener pastures on other platforms. You can find me at Robert-ian-McDonald on LinkedIn and Robert ian McDonald on Threads.

[Smith Fellows @SmithFellows]

2025 @SmithFellows Request for Proposals Announced! Deadline is September 30, 2024. View the proposal guidelines here: https://t.co/nADdq0o3e8

[ICI Alsace @ici_alsace]

"Une menace pour les droits des femmes" : à Strasbourg, les organisations féministes et LGBTQIA+ manifestent contre le RN
➡️ https://t.co/KVChoqVz6q

[Prof. Christopher Raymond @DrCMRaymond]

Very happy to announce that @Nature_NPJ Urban Sustainability journal first IF was released yesterday. Our ranking is 9.1, first in Urban Studies and 12th in Environmental Studies. https://t.co/k7q5HkVHDP thanks to leader #Thomas_Elmqvist @sthlmresilience

[The Nature Conservancy @nature_org]

🌱 IT'S A WIN FOR NATURE! 🌱

Following months of deliberations, the 27 countries of the EU voted today to adopt the world's first-ever Nature Restoration Law.

Good news for nature and the millions of European people who depend on it.

https://t.co/c9MLrSg7Ve

[ICI Alsace @ici_alsace]

Beaucoup de slogans anti RN également dans la marche des fiertés #strasbourg #manifestation #alsace

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

So proud to have been part of this review of how urban form (including natural components) impacts health, through multiple health pathways. https://t.co/8jQpVeJhft

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

The paper contrasted showing reviewers the proposal abstract, versus the full proposal. The results imply to me that reviewers are mostly influenced by the core idea of a proposal, plus the CV. Results seem to support the idea of two-step proposal processes.

[Harriet Bulkeley @harrietbulkeley]

@Anna_K_speaking Breathing deeply. I think it might matter that this study was conducted in NL which has historically been v metrics driven in evaluation of individuals and in NWO given relatively restricted scope of funding (ie not much variety in how you can design projects). But still.

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

I travel a lot (too much) for work. And I absolutely love that Apple Podcast updates the ads it plays to the local language. Now I am listening to Pod Save the World with Norwegian ads, like some hangover of my trip to Oslo.

[Megan Rowling @meganrowling]

On #WorldEnvironmentDay‌, UN chief @antonioguterres has for the first time called on governments to ban #fossilfuel companies from advertising, calling them “the Godfathers of #climate chaos” https://t.co/OYSGiZnWvr

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

One of my greatest joys is drinking a coffee while on a train rolling through the misty Swiss mountains, while writing a scientific manuscript. I think for my next book I will just see if I can book a day ticket and ride the trains in circles...

[The Nature Conservancy @nature_org]

It's #PrideMonth, and TNC is proud to support our LGBTQ+ colleagues, partners and community members. Inclusivity is vital to our conservation efforts. Let's ensure that nature is a space where everyone feels welcome and valued. Click here to learn more: https://t.co/6L7GiG0sv3

[Andrew Revkin 🌎 ✍🏼 🪕 ☮️ @Revkin]

Excellent story on the @JoeBiden administration push to cut heat-related deaths on the job and the challenges facing this effort - not the least of which are extreme heat from global warming and policy reversal if Trump wins back the White House. https://t.co/ZPiDTViHtZ @CoralMDavenport and @noahweiland, @nytimes

[Urban Systems Lab @USL_NYC]

Nature-based solutions can provide 37% of required climate mitigation by 2030 to limit global warming, but this drops to 22% if action is delayed past 2050. New @wef report provides guidelines for cities to begin nature-positive transition: https://t.co/9AwbtsNGpN #BeyondNetZero

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

Nothing can justify the 7 Oct terror attacks by Hamas.

Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

It’s high time for a humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages & unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.

[Andrew Revkin 🌎 ✍🏼 🪕 ☮️ @Revkin]

Useful context from @Mylovanov beyond the neat “rockin in the free world” @SecBlinken photo op.

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

A study in London of trees and avoided mortality, both past and future. "By 2061–2080, under RCP8.5, we estimate that London's current tree planting strategy can help avoid an additional 23 heat-attributable deaths a year." https://t.co/RbW4lOzIuc

[Zeke Hausfather @hausfath]

With four months of data now in from ERA5, we see a roughly 66% chance that 2024 will surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record – and a >99% chance it will be one of the top-two warmest years.

The current best-estimate is that 2024 will come it at just above 1.5C:

[Robert Ian McDonald, Ph.D. @RobIMcDonald]

Doing final edits on a paper. I am realizing that every British author I work with dislikes the Oxford comma, whereas many of us Americans like them. Is this some sort of insecurity, where Americans want to seem sophisticated so we do this antiquated thing?