Citation | Bob Watson's early research was as a physical chemist, in particular in studies of gas phase chemical kinetics relevant to atmospheric processes involving reactive halogen species and hydroxyl free radicals. These studies provided a significant amount of the chemical kinetic information required for modelling the human influence of chlorofluorocarbons and brominated halocarbon emissions on stratospheric ozone depeletion. He went on to be a leading player in many international environmental assessments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. After a period as Chief Scientist and Senior Advisor for Sustainable Development at the World Bank, he returned to the UK as Chief Scientist at Defra. He has been awarded many international prizes and honours, most recently the Blue Planet Prize (2010). |