SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:48:26 +0000 en hourly 1 https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-favicon-20180207-2-150x150.jpg?modtime= SEI https://www.sei.org/ 32 32 New SEI initiative aims to help the bioeconomy take root in the global South https://www.sei.org/features/new-sei-initiative-aims-help-bioeconomy-take-root-global-south/ As SEI launches a new initiative on the bioeconomy, SEI Senior Research Fellow Ivar Virgin talks about the initiative and his role in the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2018. As SEI launches a new initiative on the bioeconomy, SEI Senior Research Fellow Ivar Virgin talks about the initiative and his role in the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2018.

]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2018 07:57:46 +0000 Caspar Trimmer; Ivar Virgin https://www.sei.org/features/new-sei-initiative-aims-help-bioeconomy-take-root-global-south/ Feature In rural Myanmar, more frequent and intense droughts are affecting local livelihoods https://www.sei.org/features/rural-myanmar-frequent-intense-droughts-affecting-local-livelihoods/ In the dry and arid central region of Myanmar, climate risks mean more intense and longer dry spells and frequent droughts. Village communities mostly eke out a living growing peanuts and sesame and raising livestock. But as water for drinking and farming gets scarce, many communities are coping by moving to the cities in search of work. In the dry and arid central region of Myanmar, climate risks mean more intense and longer dry spells and frequent droughts. Village communities mostly eke out a living growing peanuts and sesame and raising livestock. But as water for drinking and farming gets scarce, many communities are coping by moving to the cities in search of work.

]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:46:22 +0000 Rajesh Daniel https://www.sei.org/features/rural-myanmar-frequent-intense-droughts-affecting-local-livelihoods/ Feature Amidst social and environmental dynamics in Ilulissat, West Greenland https://www.sei.org/perspectives/amidst-social-environmental-dynamic-ilulissat-greenland/ We have seen the images of calving icebergs calling our attention to the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. The ground zero for such images is the Ilulissat icefjord near the small town of Ilulissat in West Greenland. The dynamic interaction between ice in its many different forms and the warming climate is also a local issue of high importance, as was clear from discussions in a workshop about the future of this region that was held in Ilulissat April 10 – 11 2018. We have seen the images of calving icebergs calling our attention to the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. The ground zero for such images is the Ilulissat icefjord near the small town of Ilulissat in West Greenland. The dynamic interaction between ice in its many different forms and the warming climate is also a local issue of high importance, as was clear from discussions in a workshop about the future of this region that was held in Ilulissat April 10 – 11 2018.

]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:27:10 +0000 Annika E. Nilsson https://www.sei.org/perspectives/amidst-social-environmental-dynamic-ilulissat-greenland/ Perspective Integrated SDG implementation – how a cross-scale (vertical) and cross-regional nexus approach can complement cross-sectoral (horizontal) integration https://www.sei.org/publications/sdg-cross-scale-cross-regional-nexus-cross-sectoral-integration/ This book chapter provides a new perspective on integrated management of natural resources via a nexus approach. This book chapter provides a new perspective on integrated management of natural resources via a nexus approach.

]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:45:38 +0000 Holger Hoff https://www.sei.org/publications/sdg-cross-scale-cross-regional-nexus-cross-sectoral-integration/ Publication Climate adaptation must be reframed from a local issue to a global responsibility https://www.sei.org/features/climate-adaptation-must-be-reframed/ The time is right to harness the momentum of the Paris Agreement and meet the global challenge of adaptation, according to a new brief. The time is right to harness the momentum of the Paris Agreement and meet the global challenge of adaptation, according to a new brief.

]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:00:16 +0000 Emily Yehle https://www.sei.org/features/climate-adaptation-must-be-reframed/ Feature Rethinking communication: integrating storytelling for increased stakeholder engagement in environmental evidence synthesis https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-communication-integrating-storytelling-increased-stakeholder-engagement-environmental-evidence-synthesis/ This paper presents a framework for the integration of storytelling in systematic reviews and systematic maps at the stages where stakeholders are actively involved. Photo: Antenna / Unsplash. This paper presents a framework for the integration of storytelling in systematic reviews and systematic maps at the stages where stakeholders are actively involved.

Photo: Antenna / Unsplash.

]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:50:38 +0000 Anneli Sundin; Karolin Andersson; Robert Watt https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-communication-integrating-storytelling-increased-stakeholder-engagement-environmental-evidence-synthesis/ Publication Co-designing urban living solutions to improve older people’s mobility and well-being https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-urban-living-solutions-improve-older-peoples-mobility-well/ This paper reports on a co-design study with 117 participants investigating the interaction of existing urban spaces and infrastructure on mobility and well-being for older residents (aged 55 + years) in three UK cities. This paper reports on a co-design study with 117 participants investigating the interaction of existing urban spaces and infrastructure on mobility and well-being for older residents (aged 55 + years) in three UK cities.

]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:22:27 +0000 Steve Cinderby; Howard Cambridge https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-urban-living-solutions-improve-older-peoples-mobility-well/ Publication Pealinn: Valmiv uuring: prügi satub merre ehitusplatsidelt ja puhkekohtadest https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/valmiv-uuring-prugi-satub-merre-ehitusplatsidelt-ja-puhkekohtadest/ Tallinna abil sügiseks valmiv uuring aitab Läänemere äärsetel omavalitsustel koostada tegevuskava, kuidas vähendada merre sattuva prahi hulka. Tallinna abil sügiseks valmiv uuring aitab Läänemere äärsetel omavalitsustel koostada tegevuskava, kuidas vähendada merre sattuva prahi hulka.

]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:31:40 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/valmiv-uuring-prugi-satub-merre-ehitusplatsidelt-ja-puhkekohtadest/ Press Make your science sticky – storytelling as a science communication tool https://www.sei.org/perspectives/make-science-sticky-storytelling-science-communication-tool/ Are the narrative structures that scientists and science communicators deploy effective? How can we create compelling science stories that help ensure research findings are understood by decision-makers? In a recent journal article we set out a new way to use storytelling techniques to make research resonate with the people who matter, and empower them to take action. Are the narrative structures that scientists and science communicators deploy effective? How can we create compelling science stories that help ensure research findings are understood by decision-makers? In a recent journal article we set out a new way to use storytelling techniques to make research resonate with the people who matter, and empower them to take action.

]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:58:19 +0000 Anneli Sundin https://www.sei.org/perspectives/make-science-sticky-storytelling-science-communication-tool/ Perspective Bioeconomy in Thailand: a case study https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-thailand-case-study/ This working paper presents findings from an exploratory case study of developments in the Thai bioeconomy. This working paper presents findings from an exploratory case study of developments in the Thai bioeconomy.

]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:57:37 +0000 May Thazin Aung; Matthew Fielding https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-thailand-case-study/ Publication Why ozone levels pose a challenge to food security https://www.sei.org/perspectives/ozone-levels-pose-challenge-food-security/ Ozone levels have doubled since pre-industrial times due to anthropogenic emissions. Though they have declined in the last few decades in Europe and North America, they are rising in developing countries, especially in South and East Asia, and this trend will continue at least until 2030 unless emissions of ozone precursors (NOx and VOCs) are reduced significantly. To address this rise, it is important to reach out to farmers and policymakers, who often fail to identify air pollution as a con... Ozone levels have doubled since pre-industrial times due to anthropogenic emissions. Though they have declined in the last few decades in Europe and North America, they are rising in developing countries, especially in South and East Asia, and this trend will continue at least until 2030 unless emissions of ozone precursors (NOx and VOCs) are reduced significantly.

To address this rise, it is important to reach out to farmers and policymakers, who often fail to identify air pollution as a contributor to lower crop yields as air quality concerns remain focussed on cities and urban centres where elevated pollution impacts human health. Scientists should consider integrating ozone pollution in seasonal crop-yield forecasts, and SEI is helping to meet this need by developing crop ozone risk and damage assessment tools.

]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2018 07:48:36 +0000 Divya Pandey; Lisa Emberson; Sofie Mortensen https://www.sei.org/perspectives/ozone-levels-pose-challenge-food-security/ Perspective Ozone pollution will compromise efforts to increase global wheat production https://www.sei.org/publications/ozone-pollution-will-compromise-efforts-increase-global-wheat-production/ This paper shows that global assessments of how to increase crop yield have failed to consider the negative effects of tropospheric ozone. Using a novel modelling method, the paper shows where wheat yield reductions are likely to be felt most and influenced by management practices such as irrigation. This paper shows that global assessments of how to increase crop yield have failed to consider the negative effects of tropospheric ozone. Using a novel modelling method, the paper shows where wheat yield reductions are likely to be felt most and influenced by management practices such as irrigation.

]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2018 08:19:31 +0000 Lisa Emberson; Patrick Büker https://www.sei.org/publications/ozone-pollution-will-compromise-efforts-increase-global-wheat-production/ Publication More farmers, less farming? Understanding the truncated agrarian transition in Thailand https://www.sei.org/publications/farmers-less-farming-agrarian-transition-thailand/ Drawing on rural field research in three villages of Northeast Thailand, this paper seeks to understand the ways in which life course, generational, era-defining and developmental change intersect, and why rural smallholders and smallholdings continue to persist notwithstanding deep structural change. Drawing on rural field research in three villages of Northeast Thailand, this paper seeks to understand the ways in which life course, generational, era-defining and developmental change intersect, and why rural smallholders and smallholdings continue to persist notwithstanding deep structural change.

]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2018 03:11:47 +0000 Albert Salamanca https://www.sei.org/publications/farmers-less-farming-agrarian-transition-thailand/ Publication Science marches on for evidence-based policy https://www.sei.org/features/science-marches-on/ SEI Stockholm joins over 70 other organizations to launch a new campaign to support evidence-based policy making in Sweden. SEI Stockholm joins over 70 other organizations to launch a new campaign to support evidence-based policy making in Sweden.

]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:10:09 +0000 Robert Watt https://www.sei.org/features/science-marches-on/ Feature Loodi kestliku arengu koalitsioon https://www.sei.org/features/loodi-kestliku-arengu-koalitsioon/ 13. aprillil asutati Kestliku Arengu Koalitsioon, mille eesmärk on muuta Eesti heaoluriigiks, kus toimetatakse kestilkkuse põhimõtete alusel 13. aprillil asutati Kestliku Arengu Koalitsioon, mille eesmärk on muuta Eesti heaoluriigiks, kus toimetatakse kestilkkuse põhimõtete alusel

]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 12:40:33 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/loodi-kestliku-arengu-koalitsioon/ Feature Coalition for Sustainable Development has been founded https://www.sei.org/features/coalition-sustainable-development-founded/ On April 13, the Coalition for Sustainable Development (Kestliku Arengu Koalisatsioon) was founded in Estonia. On April 13, the Coalition for Sustainable Development (Kestliku Arengu Koalisatsioon) was founded in Estonia.

]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 20:25:15 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/coalition-sustainable-development-founded/ Feature Connecting the sustainable development goals by their energy inter-linkages https://www.sei.org/publications/connecting-sustainable-development-goals-energy-inter-linkages/ This paper reports on a large-scale assessment of energy literature to better understand energy-related interactions among Sustainable Development Goals. This paper reports on a large-scale assessment of energy literature to better understand energy-related interactions among Sustainable Development Goals.

]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2018 09:14:33 +0000 Måns Nilsson https://www.sei.org/publications/connecting-sustainable-development-goals-energy-inter-linkages/ Publication ROSES RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses: Pro forma, flow-diagram and descriptive summary of the plan and conduct of environmental systematic reviews and systematic maps https://www.sei.org/publications/roses-systematic-evidence-syntheses-systematic-reviews-systematic-maps/ This article presents ROSES, a pro forma and flow diagram designed specifically for systematic reviews and systematic maps in the field of conservation and environmental management. This article presents ROSES, a pro forma and flow diagram designed specifically for systematic reviews and systematic maps in the field of conservation and environmental management.

]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2018 08:31:33 +0000 Biljana Macura; Neal Haddaway https://www.sei.org/publications/roses-systematic-evidence-syntheses-systematic-reviews-systematic-maps/ Publication Boosting technology uptake: some ideas for improving small-scale mango farming in Kenya https://www.sei.org/publications/boosting-technology-mango-farming/ This brief is based on an SEI study carried out with small-scale mango farmers in Kenya. It outlines how a service design approach could help smallholder farmers adopt more effective agricultural technologies. This brief is based on an SEI study carried out with small-scale mango farmers in Kenya. It outlines how a service design approach could help smallholder farmers adopt more effective agricultural technologies.

]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2018 07:55:10 +0000 Ylva Ran; Matthew Osborne https://www.sei.org/publications/boosting-technology-mango-farming/ Publication Analysis of optimal thresholds for identification of open water using MODIS-derived spectral indices for two coastal wetland systems in Mexico https://www.sei.org/publications/analysis-optimal-thresholds-identification-open-water-using-modis-derived-spectral-indices-two-coastal-wetland-systems-mexico/ This paper discusses remote sensing based approaches for mapping open water surfaces using MODIS data. This paper discusses remote sensing based approaches for mapping open water surfaces using MODIS data.

]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2018 20:00:01 +0000 Bart (A.J.) Wickel https://www.sei.org/publications/analysis-optimal-thresholds-identification-open-water-using-modis-derived-spectral-indices-two-coastal-wetland-systems-mexico/ Publication