Thomas Elmqvist - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Thomas Elmqvist

Environmental Science & Policy, May 1, 2022

The interactions between urbanization with biodiversity and ecosystem services that take place de... more The interactions between urbanization with biodiversity and ecosystem services that take place defy simple generalizations. There is increasing evidence for the negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity, most directly in the form of habitat loss and fragmentation. Recent forecasts suggest that the amount of urban land near protected areas is expected to increase, on average, by more than three times between 2000 and 2030 {from 450,000 km 2 c. 2000) around the world. During the same time period, the urban land in biodiversity hotspots, areas with high concentrations of endemic species, will increase by about four times on average. However, there is also ample evidence pointing to. opportunities to shape urbanization strategies in a way to reconcile urban development and.biodiversity conservation strategies {Elmqvist et al. 2013). While gaps in knowledge and practice remain, an increasing number of studies scrutinize the interactions of urbanization with biodiversity and ecosystem services at local, regional and global scales.

Sustainable earth, Oct 25, 2018

By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could right... more By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could rightly be called the urban century. This paper argues that, paradoxically, without the use of nature the urban century will fail. We review three literatures to assess the scientific support for this proposition. First, studies from economics show that it is the extreme potential for interaction that makes cities centers of productivity, innovation, and creativity. Second, many health studies document the increase in stress and greater prevalence of some mental disorders in cities, and we argue that it is the constant interaction of urban life that leads to this urban psychological penalty. Here we show that 46% of humans are living at population densities where global datasets suggest that this psychological penalty may be an issue, a fraction that will only grow as urbanization continues. Third, ecosystem service research shows that even a brief interaction with nature has mental health benefits, alleviating symptoms of this psychological penalty. Global datasets suggest that currently, only 13% of urban dwellers may be living in close enough proximity to nature to experience its mental health benefits. We argue that natural features in cities will be an essential part of the urban century, a way to have all the benefits of our urban, connected world yet also have that urban home be a place where we can psychologically flourish. We discuss two specific ways governments are trying to integrate nature into citizens' lives, through Green Prescriptions and the Biophilic Cities Network.

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Apr 26, 2018

Cambridge University Press eBooks, 2018

Sustainability Science, Oct 6, 2016

Nature, Oct 1, 2016

ore urban areas will be built in the next 30 years than ever before. Growing settlements will inc... more ore urban areas will be built in the next 30 years than ever before. Growing settlements will increase demand for infrastructure, food, energy, water and housing. Simply meeting the projected urban expansion will breach the warming limit set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement. This week, the United Nations' third major global cities conference, Habitat III, convenes in Quito, Ecuador. Held every 20 years, this multilateral meeting will adopt a global framework for making cities more sustainable-the New Urban Agenda (NUA). Sadly, science was largely absent from the drafting process of the NUA. By contrast, expert evidence guided the Paris climate deal, the 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One reason is that the scientific community was unprepared for Habitat III. The few scientists invited to participate accepted a consultative role, nested among other public voices. Then, in late July, negotiators dropped the proposed multistakeholder panel, which would have formally embedded scientists and other non-state representatives in the implementation process. European Union members and other rich countries were concerned that the panel would be expensive. The final draft of the NUA 1 brokered in New York last month failed to reverse this. It is thus necessary to argue the case once again for the importance of urban science and of establishing a science-policy interface for the NUA. Urban research is disparate, marginalized and ill-prepared to interact effectively with global policy. The Habitat III agenda requires a global community of urban biophysical and social scientists to assess developments and help direct progress. To achieve the SDGs and the NUA, the global urban research community must come together to develop institutions, funding mechanisms and research agendas. URBAN ACCELERATION Rapid urbanization is one of the biggest social transformations in human history 2. Cities are depleting resources and face new Scientists must have a say in the future of cities A United Nations conference seeks urban sustainability. But the agenda will fail without input from researchers, warn Timon McPhearson and colleagues. Washington DC at night.

Sustainability Science, Oct 31, 2017

Human relationships with trees can result in widespread citizen-led reforestation projects that c... more Human relationships with trees can result in widespread citizen-led reforestation projects that catalyze social-biological-reinforcing feedback loops and set in motion virtuous cycles that restore perturbed social-ecological systems. These virtuous cycles confer resilience in such systems that counterbalance the tendency for vicious cycles to be triggered by destructive behavior and neglect. Given this argument, we ask: how do we cultivate the potential for virtuous cycles to confer resilience in social-ecological systems? To answer this question, we review feedback mechanisms and identify virtuous cycles catalyzed via ecological restoration to highlight their importance to the resilience of social-ecological systems. We then conceptualize these cycles with a causal map (also known as a causal loop diagram) illustrating an example where restoration activities and civic ecology practices contributed to feedbacks and virtuous cycles. Following from this example, we discuss approaches for recognizing and investing in virtuous cycles that accompany social-ecological systems and outline approaches for managing such cycles.

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Apr 26, 2018

npj Urban Sustainability, Feb 23, 2021

Key insights on needs in urban regional governance-Global urbanization (the increasing concentrat... more Key insights on needs in urban regional governance-Global urbanization (the increasing concentration in urban settlements of the increasing world population), is a driver and accelerator of shifts in diversity, new cross-scale interactions, decoupling from ecological processes, increasing risk and exposure to shocks. Responding to the challenges of urbanization demands fresh commitments to a city-regional perspective in ways that are explictly embedded in the Anthopocene bio-techno-and noospheres, to extend existing understanding of the city-nature nexus and regional scale. Three key dimensions of cities that constrain or enable constructive, cross scale responses to disturbances and extreme events include 1) shifting diversity, 2) shifting connectivity and modularity, and 3) shifting complexity. These three dimensions are characteristic of current urban processes and offer potential intervention points for local to global action.

Springer eBooks, 2013

This volume is based on the argument that, just as it is no longer possible to construct sound ec... more This volume is based on the argument that, just as it is no longer possible to construct sound ecological science without explicit attention to urbanization as a key driver of global ecological change (Chaps. 3 , 11 , and 26), cities can no longer be uncoupled from a full understanding of their ecological foundations. The populations and economies of urban areas rely on hinterlands for resources, but there is a disconnect between using resources for urban areas and preserving or conserving ecosystem services that are outside of urban areas (Chaps. 2 and 3). While it is recognized that urban areas and urban dwellers will need to begin to take greater responsibility for stewardship of Earth's resources (Seitzinger et al. 2012), urban sustainability efforts often are prone to localism, thus failing to take into account the need to conserve resources elsewhere (Seto et al. 2012a). A history of disassociation of biodiversity, ecosystems, and urban development alongside a belief in technological solutions gave rise to a logic of urban planning that made it possible to imagine that the governance of urban life could be

Sustainability science : official journal of the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, 2016

Nature Sustainability, 2019

By 2030, an additional 1.2 billion people are forecast in urban areas globally. We review the sci... more By 2030, an additional 1.2 billion people are forecast in urban areas globally. We review the scientific literature (n = 922 studies) to assess direct and indirect impacts of urban growth on habitat and biodiversity. Direct impacts are cumulatively substantial, with 290,000 km 2 of natural habitat forecast to be converted to urban land uses between 2000 and 2030. Studies of direct impact are disproportionately from high-income countries. Indirect urban impacts on biodiversity, such as food consumption, affect a greater area than direct impacts, but comparatively few studies (34%) have quantified urban indirect impacts on biodiversity.

Sustainable Earth, 2018

By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could right... more By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could rightly be called the urban century. This paper argues that, paradoxically, without the use of nature the urban century will fail. We review three literatures to assess the scientific support for this proposition. First, studies from economics show that it is the extreme potential for interaction that makes cities centers of productivity, innovation, and creativity. Second, many health studies document the increase in stress and greater prevalence of some mental disorders in cities, and we argue that it is the constant interaction of urban life that leads to this urban psychological penalty. Here we show that 46% of humans are living at population densities where global datasets suggest that this psychological penalty may be an issue, a fraction that will only grow as urbanization continues. Third, ecosystem service research shows that even a brief interaction with nature has mental health benefits, alleviating symptoms of this psychological penalty. Global datasets suggest that currently, only 13% of urban dwellers may be living in close enough proximity to nature to experience its mental health benefits. We argue that natural features in cities will be an essential part of the urban century, a way to have all the benefits of our urban, connected world yet also have that urban home be a place where we can psychologically flourish. We discuss two specific ways governments are trying to integrate nature into citizens' lives, through Green Prescriptions and the Biophilic Cities Network.

Nature Sustainability, 2019

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2016

Rapid urbanization is one of the most important social transformations in human history [1 ], wit... more Rapid urbanization is one of the most important social transformations in human history [1 ], with cities playing an increasingly important role in global change through a multiplicity of social, economic, and biophysical processes across diverse spatial and temporal scales [2,3 ,4]. The world's cities occupy just three per cent of the earth's land, but account for about 75 per cent of global final energy consumption and carbon emissions [5,6 ]. Thus, the collective actions of cities will determine whether the world as a whole moves towards sustainability in all its manifestations-economic, social, and environmental. Given the foreseeable challenges related to the increase in urban growth and urbanization, developing sustainable and resilient cities has become increasingly crucial, as recognized in Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [7], which calls for 'making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and

Environmental Science & Policy, May 1, 2022

The interactions between urbanization with biodiversity and ecosystem services that take place de... more The interactions between urbanization with biodiversity and ecosystem services that take place defy simple generalizations. There is increasing evidence for the negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity, most directly in the form of habitat loss and fragmentation. Recent forecasts suggest that the amount of urban land near protected areas is expected to increase, on average, by more than three times between 2000 and 2030 {from 450,000 km 2 c. 2000) around the world. During the same time period, the urban land in biodiversity hotspots, areas with high concentrations of endemic species, will increase by about four times on average. However, there is also ample evidence pointing to. opportunities to shape urbanization strategies in a way to reconcile urban development and.biodiversity conservation strategies {Elmqvist et al. 2013). While gaps in knowledge and practice remain, an increasing number of studies scrutinize the interactions of urbanization with biodiversity and ecosystem services at local, regional and global scales.

Sustainable earth, Oct 25, 2018

By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could right... more By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could rightly be called the urban century. This paper argues that, paradoxically, without the use of nature the urban century will fail. We review three literatures to assess the scientific support for this proposition. First, studies from economics show that it is the extreme potential for interaction that makes cities centers of productivity, innovation, and creativity. Second, many health studies document the increase in stress and greater prevalence of some mental disorders in cities, and we argue that it is the constant interaction of urban life that leads to this urban psychological penalty. Here we show that 46% of humans are living at population densities where global datasets suggest that this psychological penalty may be an issue, a fraction that will only grow as urbanization continues. Third, ecosystem service research shows that even a brief interaction with nature has mental health benefits, alleviating symptoms of this psychological penalty. Global datasets suggest that currently, only 13% of urban dwellers may be living in close enough proximity to nature to experience its mental health benefits. We argue that natural features in cities will be an essential part of the urban century, a way to have all the benefits of our urban, connected world yet also have that urban home be a place where we can psychologically flourish. We discuss two specific ways governments are trying to integrate nature into citizens' lives, through Green Prescriptions and the Biophilic Cities Network.

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Apr 26, 2018

Cambridge University Press eBooks, 2018

Sustainability Science, Oct 6, 2016

Nature, Oct 1, 2016

ore urban areas will be built in the next 30 years than ever before. Growing settlements will inc... more ore urban areas will be built in the next 30 years than ever before. Growing settlements will increase demand for infrastructure, food, energy, water and housing. Simply meeting the projected urban expansion will breach the warming limit set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement. This week, the United Nations' third major global cities conference, Habitat III, convenes in Quito, Ecuador. Held every 20 years, this multilateral meeting will adopt a global framework for making cities more sustainable-the New Urban Agenda (NUA). Sadly, science was largely absent from the drafting process of the NUA. By contrast, expert evidence guided the Paris climate deal, the 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One reason is that the scientific community was unprepared for Habitat III. The few scientists invited to participate accepted a consultative role, nested among other public voices. Then, in late July, negotiators dropped the proposed multistakeholder panel, which would have formally embedded scientists and other non-state representatives in the implementation process. European Union members and other rich countries were concerned that the panel would be expensive. The final draft of the NUA 1 brokered in New York last month failed to reverse this. It is thus necessary to argue the case once again for the importance of urban science and of establishing a science-policy interface for the NUA. Urban research is disparate, marginalized and ill-prepared to interact effectively with global policy. The Habitat III agenda requires a global community of urban biophysical and social scientists to assess developments and help direct progress. To achieve the SDGs and the NUA, the global urban research community must come together to develop institutions, funding mechanisms and research agendas. URBAN ACCELERATION Rapid urbanization is one of the biggest social transformations in human history 2. Cities are depleting resources and face new Scientists must have a say in the future of cities A United Nations conference seeks urban sustainability. But the agenda will fail without input from researchers, warn Timon McPhearson and colleagues. Washington DC at night.

Sustainability Science, Oct 31, 2017

Human relationships with trees can result in widespread citizen-led reforestation projects that c... more Human relationships with trees can result in widespread citizen-led reforestation projects that catalyze social-biological-reinforcing feedback loops and set in motion virtuous cycles that restore perturbed social-ecological systems. These virtuous cycles confer resilience in such systems that counterbalance the tendency for vicious cycles to be triggered by destructive behavior and neglect. Given this argument, we ask: how do we cultivate the potential for virtuous cycles to confer resilience in social-ecological systems? To answer this question, we review feedback mechanisms and identify virtuous cycles catalyzed via ecological restoration to highlight their importance to the resilience of social-ecological systems. We then conceptualize these cycles with a causal map (also known as a causal loop diagram) illustrating an example where restoration activities and civic ecology practices contributed to feedbacks and virtuous cycles. Following from this example, we discuss approaches for recognizing and investing in virtuous cycles that accompany social-ecological systems and outline approaches for managing such cycles.

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Apr 26, 2018

npj Urban Sustainability, Feb 23, 2021

Key insights on needs in urban regional governance-Global urbanization (the increasing concentrat... more Key insights on needs in urban regional governance-Global urbanization (the increasing concentration in urban settlements of the increasing world population), is a driver and accelerator of shifts in diversity, new cross-scale interactions, decoupling from ecological processes, increasing risk and exposure to shocks. Responding to the challenges of urbanization demands fresh commitments to a city-regional perspective in ways that are explictly embedded in the Anthopocene bio-techno-and noospheres, to extend existing understanding of the city-nature nexus and regional scale. Three key dimensions of cities that constrain or enable constructive, cross scale responses to disturbances and extreme events include 1) shifting diversity, 2) shifting connectivity and modularity, and 3) shifting complexity. These three dimensions are characteristic of current urban processes and offer potential intervention points for local to global action.

Springer eBooks, 2013

This volume is based on the argument that, just as it is no longer possible to construct sound ec... more This volume is based on the argument that, just as it is no longer possible to construct sound ecological science without explicit attention to urbanization as a key driver of global ecological change (Chaps. 3 , 11 , and 26), cities can no longer be uncoupled from a full understanding of their ecological foundations. The populations and economies of urban areas rely on hinterlands for resources, but there is a disconnect between using resources for urban areas and preserving or conserving ecosystem services that are outside of urban areas (Chaps. 2 and 3). While it is recognized that urban areas and urban dwellers will need to begin to take greater responsibility for stewardship of Earth's resources (Seitzinger et al. 2012), urban sustainability efforts often are prone to localism, thus failing to take into account the need to conserve resources elsewhere (Seto et al. 2012a). A history of disassociation of biodiversity, ecosystems, and urban development alongside a belief in technological solutions gave rise to a logic of urban planning that made it possible to imagine that the governance of urban life could be

Sustainability science : official journal of the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, 2016

Nature Sustainability, 2019

By 2030, an additional 1.2 billion people are forecast in urban areas globally. We review the sci... more By 2030, an additional 1.2 billion people are forecast in urban areas globally. We review the scientific literature (n = 922 studies) to assess direct and indirect impacts of urban growth on habitat and biodiversity. Direct impacts are cumulatively substantial, with 290,000 km 2 of natural habitat forecast to be converted to urban land uses between 2000 and 2030. Studies of direct impact are disproportionately from high-income countries. Indirect urban impacts on biodiversity, such as food consumption, affect a greater area than direct impacts, but comparatively few studies (34%) have quantified urban indirect impacts on biodiversity.

Sustainable Earth, 2018

By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could right... more By 2050, there are forecast to be 2.4 billion more people in cities, and this century could rightly be called the urban century. This paper argues that, paradoxically, without the use of nature the urban century will fail. We review three literatures to assess the scientific support for this proposition. First, studies from economics show that it is the extreme potential for interaction that makes cities centers of productivity, innovation, and creativity. Second, many health studies document the increase in stress and greater prevalence of some mental disorders in cities, and we argue that it is the constant interaction of urban life that leads to this urban psychological penalty. Here we show that 46% of humans are living at population densities where global datasets suggest that this psychological penalty may be an issue, a fraction that will only grow as urbanization continues. Third, ecosystem service research shows that even a brief interaction with nature has mental health benefits, alleviating symptoms of this psychological penalty. Global datasets suggest that currently, only 13% of urban dwellers may be living in close enough proximity to nature to experience its mental health benefits. We argue that natural features in cities will be an essential part of the urban century, a way to have all the benefits of our urban, connected world yet also have that urban home be a place where we can psychologically flourish. We discuss two specific ways governments are trying to integrate nature into citizens' lives, through Green Prescriptions and the Biophilic Cities Network.

Nature Sustainability, 2019

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2016

Rapid urbanization is one of the most important social transformations in human history [1 ], wit... more Rapid urbanization is one of the most important social transformations in human history [1 ], with cities playing an increasingly important role in global change through a multiplicity of social, economic, and biophysical processes across diverse spatial and temporal scales [2,3 ,4]. The world's cities occupy just three per cent of the earth's land, but account for about 75 per cent of global final energy consumption and carbon emissions [5,6 ]. Thus, the collective actions of cities will determine whether the world as a whole moves towards sustainability in all its manifestations-economic, social, and environmental. Given the foreseeable challenges related to the increase in urban growth and urbanization, developing sustainable and resilient cities has become increasingly crucial, as recognized in Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [7], which calls for 'making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and