Timon McPhearson

Papers

Total Citations

442

H-Index

About

Timon McPhearson is a leading urban ecologist and sustainability scientist whose work sits at the intersection of complex systems, artificial intelligence, and global environmental change. He is widely recognized for advancing the understanding of urban resilience, ecosystem services, and systemic risks in cities. His highly cited paper, “Artificial intelligence, systemic risks, and sustainability” (2021, 442 citations), explores how AI-driven technologies—from automated decision-making to sensor networks—are reshaping responses to climate and ecological crises, while also introducing new vulnerabilities. McPhearson’s research has been instrumental in framing cities as social-ecological-technological systems, and he has contributed foundational insights into how nature-based solutions can enhance urban resilience and equity. As a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and a fellow of the Urban Climate Change Research Network, his work bridges cutting-edge science with real-world policy. With thousands of citations across his portfolio, McPhearson continues to shape how scholars and practitioners understand the intertwined futures of technology, sustainability, and urban life.