Dr. Thomas Ball

Biography

I am an interdisciplinary scientist interested in meeting the needs of a growing human population in a way that minimizes harm to both people and the planet, with a particular focus on the climate extinction crisis. My work combines modeling global data on production, consumption, and commodity movement to understand the impacts of decisions at different scales on the planet, as well as the consequences of national agricultural policies. My research has led to publications examining the impact of food production and consumption on species extinction risks. This work is utilized as part of an official government toolbox. I have a keen interest in the theoretical understanding of the dynamics between human activity and species risk of extinction, which drives my modeling efforts, characterizing the relationship between population size and extinction risk.

Research Interests

Experience