SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:49:54 +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 Soils as a water resource: some thoughts on managing soils for productive landscapes meeting development challenges https://www.sei.org/publications/soils-as-a-water-resource-some-thoughts-on-managing-soils-for-productive-landscapes-meeting-development-challenges/ Humanity is facing fundamental challenges in the anthropocene on how to produce food, fodder and fibre, in an era of increasingly limited resources. Freshwater and healthy soil systems are fundamental in this, and in particular in areas with high rainfall variability soils with low inherent nutrient status and people with marginal resources to invest in their local landscape production resources. Humanity is facing fundamental challenges in the anthropocene on how to produce food, fodder and fibre, in an era of increasingly limited resources. Freshwater and healthy soil systems are fundamental in this, and in particular in areas with high rainfall variability soils with low inherent nutrient status and people with marginal resources to invest in their local landscape production resources.

]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:07:51 +0000 Jennie Barron https://www.sei.org/publications/soils-as-a-water-resource-some-thoughts-on-managing-soils-for-productive-landscapes-meeting-development-challenges/ Publication Watershed management through a resilience lens https://www.sei.org/publications/watershed-management-through-a-resilience-lens/ This book chapter looks at watershed management through a resilience lens. The book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rain-fed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas. This book chapter looks at watershed management through a resilience lens. The book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rain-fed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas.

]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:28:39 +0000 Jennie Barron https://www.sei.org/publications/watershed-management-through-a-resilience-lens/ Publication A review of the recent literature on water harvesting in Sub-Saharan Africa https://www.sei.org/publications/a-review-of-the-recent-literature-on-water-harvesting-in-sub-saharan-africa/ Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:23:36 +0000 Jennie Barron https://www.sei.org/publications/a-review-of-the-recent-literature-on-water-harvesting-in-sub-saharan-africa/ Publication SEI Science Forum 2013 https://www.sei.org/features/sei-science-forum-2013/ The Science Forum 2013 gathered more than 80 researchers from SEI’s global organization and 70 invited guests in a conversation spanning the policy landscape that makes up the new global development agenda. The Science Forum 2013 gathered more than 80 researchers from SEI’s global organization and 70 invited guests in a conversation spanning the policy landscape that makes up the new global development agenda.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:19:37 +0000 Ian Caldwell https://www.sei.org/features/sei-science-forum-2013/ Feature Sweden in a World of Growing Uncertainties: Background report 10 to the Commission on the Future of Sweden https://www.sei.org/publications/sweden-in-a-world-of-growing-uncertainties-background-report-10-to-the-commission-on-the-future-of-sweden/ This report lays out the basic rationale for a Swedish transformation into a 21st century green economy. The notion of ‘green economy’ has gained a significant foothold in the scientific and public debate, especially in the last few years. Most basically, it signifies new thinking designed to tackle an accumulated set of problems. This report lays out the basic rationale for a Swedish transformation into a 21st century green economy. The notion of ‘green economy’ has gained a significant foothold in the scientific and public debate, especially in the last few years. Most basically, it signifies new thinking designed to tackle an accumulated set of problems.

]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:18:19 +0000 Karl Hallding; Måns Nilsson; Eric Kemp-Benedict; Magnus Benzie https://www.sei.org/publications/sweden-in-a-world-of-growing-uncertainties-background-report-10-to-the-commission-on-the-future-of-sweden/ Publication SEI Science Forum 2013: Book of Abstracts https://www.sei.org/publications/sei-science-forum-2013-book-of-abstracts/ The Science Forum 2013 gathers more than 80 researchers from SEI’s global organisation and 70 invited guests in a conversation spanning the policy landscape that makes up the new global development agenda. The Science Forum 2013 gathers more than 80 researchers from SEI’s global organisation and 70 invited guests in a conversation spanning the policy landscape that makes up the new global development agenda.

]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:00:00 +0000 Elise Remling; Nina Weitz https://www.sei.org/publications/sei-science-forum-2013-book-of-abstracts/ Publication Civil rights and obligations are connected to the environmental issues in the curriculum? A comparative analysis of the ESD in 9 European countries https://www.sei.org/publications/civil-rights-and-obligations-are-connected-to-the-environmental-issues-in-the-curriculum-a-comparative-analysis-of-the-esd-in-9-european-countries/ This book is a product of collaborative learning and research project involving 14 organisations and over 30 researchers from 9 countries. The research was conducted in 2011 based on the education documents in use in the respective countries at the time. This book is a product of collaborative learning and research project involving 14 organisations and over 30 researchers from 9 countries. The research was conducted in 2011 based on the education documents in use in the respective countries at the time.

]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:57:18 +0000 Kaja Peterson https://www.sei.org/publications/civil-rights-and-obligations-are-connected-to-the-environmental-issues-in-the-curriculum-a-comparative-analysis-of-the-esd-in-9-european-countries/ Publication Effects of ozone on crops in north-west Pakistan https://www.sei.org/publications/effects-of-ozone-on-crops-in-north-west-pakistan/ This article describes the visible signs of ozone injury to onion, cotton and potato crops found in north-west Pakistan, at ozone levels that have been modelled to occur widely across south Asia. This article describes the visible signs of ozone injury to onion, cotton and potato crops found in north-west Pakistan, at ozone levels that have been modelled to occur widely across south Asia.

]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:00:00 +0000 Mike Ashmore; Patrick Büker; Lisa Emberson https://www.sei.org/publications/effects-of-ozone-on-crops-in-north-west-pakistan/ Publication SEI team conducts fact-finding mission on the Makeni bioenergy project in Sierra Leone https://www.sei.org/features/sei-team-conducts-fact-finding-mission-makeni-bioenergy-project-sierra-leone/ An SEI project team conducted a fact-finding mission to Sierra Leone during December 2012 in order to gather information on the Addax Bioenergy project as an example of national development along an agro-industrial, clean development pathway. An SEI project team conducted a fact-finding mission to Sierra Leone during December 2012 in order to gather information on the Addax Bioenergy project as an example of national development along an agro-industrial, clean development pathway.]]> Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:19:21 +0000 Ian Caldwell https://www.sei.org/features/sei-team-conducts-fact-finding-mission-makeni-bioenergy-project-sierra-leone/ Feature New study highlights impact of environmental change on older people https://www.sei.org/features/new-study-highlights-impact-environmental-change-older-people/ Recent natural disasters illustrate vulnerability of older people: majority of deaths from the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) occurred among older people. Recent natural disasters illustrate vulnerability of older people: majority of deaths from the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) occurred among older people.

]]> Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:03:32 +0000 Howard Cambridge https://www.sei.org/features/new-study-highlights-impact-environmental-change-older-people/ Feature Arctic change and global consequences in focus at environment ministers’ meeting https://www.sei.org/features/arctic-change-global-consequences-focus-environment-ministers-meeting/ Executive Director Johan L. Kuylenstierna is moderating the science-policy dialogue at the event, 5-6 February in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, and the Arctic Resilience Report is on the agenda. Executive Director Johan L. Kuylenstierna is moderating the science-policy dialogue at the event, 5-6 February in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, and the Arctic Resilience Report is on the agenda.

]]> Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:31:35 +0000 Marion Davis https://www.sei.org/features/arctic-change-global-consequences-focus-environment-ministers-meeting/ Feature The biodiversity impacts of trade: Exploring the impact of consumption on biodiversity https://www.sei.org/projects/the-biodiversity-impacts-of-trade-exploring-the-impact-of-consumption-on-biodiversity/ This project provided a methodology for assessing the likely geographic location and quantitative impacts (both direct and indirect) of the full spectrum of UK imports (including goods and services) on biodiversity. This project provided a methodology for assessing the likely geographic location and quantitative impacts (both direct and indirect) of the full spectrum of UK imports (including goods and services) on biodiversity.

]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:30:51 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/the-biodiversity-impacts-of-trade-exploring-the-impact-of-consumption-on-biodiversity/ Project Afghanistan climate change adaptation action plans https://www.sei.org/projects/afghanistan-climate-change-adaptation-action-plans/ We provided technical assistance to the UK’s Afghanistan development assistance portfolio to ensure proposed activities properly addressed climate change risks. We provided technical assistance to the UK’s Afghanistan development assistance portfolio to ensure proposed activities properly addressed climate change risks.

]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:00:37 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/afghanistan-climate-change-adaptation-action-plans/ Project Irrigation demand and supply, given projections of climate and land-use change, in Yolo County, California https://www.sei.org/publications/irrigation-demand-and-supply-given-projections-of-climate-and-land-use-change-in-yolo-county-california/ This article assesses the potential effects of climate change and adaptive management on irrigation water supply in the Cache Creek watershed in California. This article assesses the potential effects of climate change and adaptive management on irrigation water supply in the Cache Creek watershed in California.

]]> Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:00:00 +0000 David Purkey; Brian Joyce; Vishal Mehta https://www.sei.org/publications/irrigation-demand-and-supply-given-projections-of-climate-and-land-use-change-in-yolo-county-california/ Publication Clarifying vulnerability definitions and assessments using formalisation https://www.sei.org/publications/clarifying-vulnerability-definitions-and-assessments-using-formalisation/ The purpose of this paper is to present a formal framework of vulnerability to climate change, to address the conceptual confusion around vulnerability and related concepts. The purpose of this paper is to present a formal framework of vulnerability to climate change, to address the conceptual confusion around vulnerability and related concepts.

]]> Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:00:00 +0000 Richard J.T. Klein https://www.sei.org/publications/clarifying-vulnerability-definitions-and-assessments-using-formalisation/ Publication Global Ageing and Environmental Change: Attitudes, Risks and Opportunities https://www.sei.org/publications/global-ageing-and-environmental-change-attitudes-risks-and-opportunities/ Global ageing and environmental change bring together two key policy challenges which need to be addressed to ensure a safe, secure, equitable and sustainable future. Growing old in the twenty-first century will bring with it the unique challenge of a changing global environment with variable climate and weather patterns which will impact on all aspects of life. Global ageing and environmental change bring together two key policy challenges which need to be addressed to ensure a safe, secure, equitable and sustainable future. Growing old in the twenty-first century will bring with it the unique challenge of a changing global environment with variable climate and weather patterns which will impact on all aspects of life.

]]> Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:48:30 +0000 Gary Haq https://www.sei.org/publications/global-ageing-and-environmental-change-attitudes-risks-and-opportunities/ Publication Social learning towards a more adaptive paradigm? Reducing flood risk in Kristianstad municipality, Sweden https://www.sei.org/publications/social-learning-towards-a-more-adaptive-paradigm-reducing-flood-risk-in-kristianstad-municipality-sweden/ This article looks at social learning in flood management in a Swedish municipality and presents a model for spontaneous learning triggered by the operational level. This article looks at social learning in flood management in a Swedish municipality and presents a model for spontaneous learning triggered by the operational level.

]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:00:00 +0000 Åse Johannessen https://www.sei.org/publications/social-learning-towards-a-more-adaptive-paradigm-reducing-flood-risk-in-kristianstad-municipality-sweden/ Publication SEI ranked as 6th most influential environment think tank in the world https://www.sei.org/features/sei-ranked-6th-influential-environment-think-tank-world/ For the third year in a row SEI moves up the rankings in the Global Go To Think Tank Index, placed for 2012 as the 6th most influential environment think tank, up from 8th position in 2011, and the leading one based outside the U.S. For the third year in a row SEI moves up the rankings in the Global Go To Think Tank Index, placed for 2012 as the 6th most influential environment think tank, up from 8th position in 2011, and the leading one based outside the U.S.

]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:52:20 +0000 Tom Gill https://www.sei.org/features/sei-ranked-6th-influential-environment-think-tank-world/ Feature Equity and cost-effectiveness of multilateral adaptation finance: are they friends or foes? https://www.sei.org/publications/equity-and-cost-effectiveness-of-multilateral-adaptation-finance-are-they-friends-or-foes-2/ This paper analyzes potential criteria to allocate international funding for adaptation to climate change, as a response to one of the main governance challenges of international adaptation funding—the prioritization of project proposals given scarce funding. This paper analyzes potential criteria to allocate international funding for adaptation to climate change, as a response to one of the main governance challenges of international adaptation funding—the prioritization of project proposals given scarce funding.

]]> Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:00:00 +0000 Åsa Persson https://www.sei.org/publications/equity-and-cost-effectiveness-of-multilateral-adaptation-finance-are-they-friends-or-foes-2/ Publication Davos 2013: four simple environmental ideas to consider https://www.sei.org/perspectives/four-simple-ideas-davos-2013/ The World Economic Forum 2013 has spawned an impressive collection of reports on the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transforming energy systems, adapting to climate change, and making major investments to steer the global economy onto a more sustainable path that protects our natural resources. The messages are not new; the International Energy Agency, the World Bank, UN agencies, scientists and civil-society groups have long warned about these things and made similar calls to ... The World Economic Forum 2013 has spawned an impressive collection of reports on the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transforming energy systems, adapting to climate change, and making major investments to steer the global economy onto a more sustainable path that protects our natural resources.

The messages are not new; the International Energy Agency, the World Bank, UN agencies, scientists and civil-society groups have long warned about these things and made similar calls to action.

In this blog post, SEI Executive Director Johan L. Kuylenstierna argues it’s time to stop talking – it’s time to act.

]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:11:07 +0000 https://www.sei.org/perspectives/four-simple-ideas-davos-2013/ Perspective