News
Latest news announcements from SEI York
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For further information or to arrange an interview please contact the Communications team
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Making homes breathe better improves climate and human health
On World Ventilate Day 2024, Luke Gooding emphasizes the importance of ventilation in domestic retrofitting: optimized ventilation can enhance a home's energy efficiency and lower costs, and can also support human health.
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Now recruiting: PhD researchers
We are seeking two PhD researchers in collaboration with the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity. Projects involve working on evidence-based scenarios on the North York Moors and planning food waste management to support seabirds on the Isles of Scilly.
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Meet SEI: Caroline Sawe
Through her role at SEI York, Caroline has supported governments who are tackling air pollution and climate change simultaneously.
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Q&A: Understanding clean air challenges and solutions
Senior Research Fellow Chris Malley discusses how tackling air pollution can deliver major health benefits to millions of people and simultaneously tackle climate change.
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SEI York launches interdisciplinary module for undergraduates
For the academic year 2023/24, the University of York is offering new learning pathways for students.
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BBC Newsround showcases SAMHE air quality project
The children's news programme visited a school where pupils were investigating their classroom's air quality using the SAMHE monitor and Web App.
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Dr Rachel Pateman at Research with the Public conference
Dr Pateman will present a paper on our citizen science work at this hybrid event
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Dr Rhys Archer to present at Institute of Air Quality Management Forum
Dr Archer will discuss her work on the SAMHE project and childhood exposure to air pollution with other air quality experts
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Is indoor air making us sick?
In a debate facilitated by cross-party think tank Policy Connect, Dr Sarah West from SEI York joined a panel of experts to discuss indoor air pollution with cross-party representatives from the UK government. The debate aimed to develop solutions for clean air and thereby improve health outcomes.
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Research Associate
Do you have a research background in environmental science and want to join our international team developing mitigation strategies for tackling air pollution and climate change? Apply for our Research Associate role.
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UK Department for Education encourages schools to join SAMHE
The Schools’ Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education project is seeking 2000 schools for the study in order to build a broad picture of air quality in primary and secondary education settings in the UK.
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SAMHE goes live
The Schools' Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education project launches this week
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Centre Finance Administrator
Do you have financial administration experience in a busy office within a large/complex organisation? If this is you and you're excited to support the work that SEI does, apply for our Centre Finance Administrator role.
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“The air is killing us" – Chris Malley contributed to Pakistan’s Clean Air Policy
In the op-ed "The air is killing us. We know what we must do but will we?" Syeda Hadika Jamshaid and Chris Malley, SEI Research Fellow in York, explain why action on air pollution is critical
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Press: Researchers seek views of how extreme weather affects older people
Researchers at the universities of York and Heriot-Watt are asking the over 60s to share their experience of how storms, flooding and heatwaves have affected their lives as part of a nationwide study on healthy ageing and climate change.
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Research Associate
Are you interested in collating and assessing literature on the topic of heather management on peatlands? Are you good at engaging in collaborative research, with well-developed organisational skills?
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Jon Ensor appointed Co-Director of IGDC
The Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre is York’s centre for research, teaching and partnership for global development.
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Press: SEI indicator for impacts of consumption on biodiversity adopted at COP15
Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption Indicator (GEIC) developed by SEI and partners to assess the sustainability of consumption is adopted as part of a historic new deal to protect nature agreed today at COP 15 in Montreal.
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SEI York December 2022 newsletter
Read the latest issue of the SEI York newsletter, focused on COP27 and climate change.
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New publications
Read new papers and reports on development finance directed to nature-based solutions, climate migration as an adaptive strategy, creative participatory approaches for inclusive climate resilient transport in Africa, and more.
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Communications Assistant
Are you a dynamic and organised individual interested in supporting our communications specialists on a wide range of projects and centre-level communications?
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How does childhood exposure to natural environments influence adult well-being?
PhD student Ying Wang shows that spending time in natural environments in childhood leads to more attachment to these environs in adulthood.
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PhD: Monitoring the contribution of trade-linked climate policy to global deforestation and restoration targets
We are accepting applications for a fully funded 4-year environmental PhD project.
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Communications Specialists
Do you have a good understanding of the science underpinning environment and development issues and a good knowledge of the science-policy interface? We are recruiting for two Communications Specialists.
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We're recruiting!
Would you like to join a highly motivated team at one of the World's leading environmental think tanks? We're looking for an Administrator to assist with supporting day to day operations.
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Schools monitoring classroom air quality
UK schoolchildren can now interact with live data on their classroom air quality through the SAMHE project.
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SEI York October newsletter
Read the latest issue of the SEI York newsletter, focused on clean air and climate issues.
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Reinvigorating the Malé Declaration
Eight countries in South Asia are recommitting to work together to reduce the severe and widespread health and economic impacts of air pollution in the region.
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New publications
Read new papers and reports on agriculture-driven deforestation, Togo's integrated climate change and air pollution mitigation assessment and lessons from innovations in village governance in Vanuatu.
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SEI York newsletter
SEI York now produces a bimonthly newsletter. The second issue is due out this month so sign up now to stay up to date with our latest research!
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Event: SEI Celebration 2022
SEI York invites you to attend our Celebration Event on Monday 25 April 2022 at 1.30pm. The event will celebrate the renewed partnership between SEI and the University of York.
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New publications from SEI York
Three new SEI publications on the role of learning in farmer-led innovation, health and wellbeing in cities in the Global South and collaborative pathways to sustainability transformations.
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Event: SEI Currents 2022
What risks and opportunities are surfacing? What issues warrant greater attention? Take part in the free online event on 12 January as SEI experts offer their perspectives.
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Green New Year’s resolutions
Looking for ideas for green New Year's resolutions? Follow these six tips from SEI researchers to have a more sustainable year in 2022.
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SEI’s Sarah West speaks on BBC Breakfast about how to have a more sustainable Ch
SEI York Centre Director Sarah West was featured on BBC Breakfast at the York Christmas Market to discuss how people can have a more green and sustainable Christmas.
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How to have a greener Christmas this year
SEI researchers offer advice on how to have a more environmentally friendly Christmas this year.
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Feature: A tale of two cities: inequalities in urban wellbeing in the Global South
City planning needs to consider livability and resident well-being alongside equality of environmental and economic development: new research from SEI's Initiative on City Health and Wellbeing.
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Human Rights Day 2021
Join us as we celebrate the United Nations Day of Human Rights and #StandUp4HumanRights.
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Three new publications from SEI York
Three new SEI publications on cross-border climate impacts, co-created transdisciplinary approaches to local air pollution research, and how we can enable sustainable trade.
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Jessica Slater helps BBC Scotland's 'Out of Doors' team consider their environmental impact
SEI's Jessica Slater helps Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith consider the environmental impact of lighting their firepit and cooking bacon each Saturday.
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Three new publications from SEI York
Three new SEI publications on a range of topics from delivering urban wellbeing in the global south, overcoming siloed thinking about food loss and waste, and why consumer countries' laws to tackle commodity-linked deforestation is insufficient.
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Media: How successful was COP26? SEI’s Chris Malley shares his thoughts
As COP26 draws to a close, global leaders have spoken about their plans to tackle climate change. SEI’s Chris Malley was interviewed by BBC Radio York to discuss his thoughts on COP26 and the results that will come of it.
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New publications from SEI
Pick your read from seven new SEI publications on a range of topics from nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health to assessing transboundary climate risks in agricultural commodity flows.
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Press: UK industry leaders unite to cut deforestation- and conversion-linked soy from supply chains by 2025
Leading brands including Tesco, Nestle, Sainsbury’s, Nando’s, KFC UK and Ireland, Morrisons and McDonald’s UK and Ireland have signed up to the new UK Soy Manifesto. They have committed to buying only soya that has been grown without deforestation or removal of native vegetation, by 2025.
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Press: COP26: Pre-launch of new guide to unlock business action on air pollution
A NEW practical guide for businesses on how to measure air pollution across value chains is being developed by SEI and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in partnership with IKEA. It was launched at COP26 and will support companies to understand their impact on air quality and take necessary actions to reduce their emissions to contribute to better health for people and the planet.
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Media: Chris Malley speaks to BBC Radio York from COP26
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned global leaders that humanity has “run down the clock” on climate change and it’s now one minute to midnight. SEI’s Chris Malley shares his thoughts with BBC Radio York from inside the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.
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Media: The fight against the “forgotten” greenhouse gas can save the climate
Aftonbladet ran an article about methane gas leaking from fibre banks in Swedish rivers and asked SEI’s Johan Kuylenstierna about the importance of tackling methane gas emissions in the fight against climate change.
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Media: The five biggest threats to our natural world…and how we can stop them
As COP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity talks began last week, The Guardian ran an article on the five main drivers of biodiversity loss and how countries can collectively act to tackle them. SEI’s Kevin Hicks was asked about the issue of nitrogen pollution.
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Urban October 2021
Learn more about what SEI is doing to support sustainable cities for the health and well-being of their inhabitants and the planet. #UrbanOctober
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Media: New research reveals climate change risks to global food trade and food security
SEI Research Fellow Simon Croft was quoted in the Phys.org news blog on his contribution to a new SEI report “Climate Change, Trade, and Global Food Security: A Global Assessment of Transboundary Climate Risks in Agricultural Commodity Flows”.
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Media: Finns have learned how to make coffee in a bioreactor to save the planet
SEI Research Associate Eleni Michalopoulou features on a Russian television news segment discussing how researchers have managed to “farm” coffee in Finland through growing cells in a bioreactor.
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Media: Women’s Health Food Awards: 30 healthy foods to buy in your next supermarket shop
SEI’s Chris West was one of a team of experts consulted by Women’s Health Magazine to help create their list of the top 30 best health food products. Chris explains the environmental issues linked to dairy, coffee and meat consumption and suggests ways we can shrink our environmental footprint when doing our food shopping.
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UN Clean Air Day for Blue Skies 2021
Find out more how SEI is supporting the day and is contributing to #HealthyAirHealthyPlanet.
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New Publication: Net-Zero Solutions and Research Priorities in the 2020s
Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) at York researcher Dr Eleni Michalopoulou has contributed to a new COP26 Universities Network Briefing, advising on environmental solutions that are actionable now, as well as research priorities for the next decade.
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Media: World Athletics launches second phase of air quality project in Nairobi
World Athletics builds on SEI’s air pollution research to introduce Phase 2 of their air quality project – a new method of monitoring air pollution in Nairobi.
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New publications from SEI
Read the new publications released by SEI - a commodity supply mix for more regionalized life cycle assessments; and six modes of co-production for sustainability.
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Feature: 'Branching Out' - understanding the value of urban treescapes
SEI York researchers are taking part in a £2.3mn, UKRI funded project, to improve understanding of the functions and services provided by treescapes.
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Feature: The global impact of food production and consumption on climate, air pollution, and diet, malnutrition and obesity.
Integrating assessments of agricultural systems can reduce emissions and improve health, new research suggests.
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Event: World Water Week
Take part in SEI-hosted online sessions at World Water Week from 23-27 August as we discuss water governance, sanitation, blue finance and sustainability.
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Media: Authorities in Yakutia respond to DiCaprio with promise to deal with forest fires
SEI Research Associate Eleni Michalopoulou was featured on a Russian television news segment highlighting the value of celebrity involvement in environmental issues.
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Feature: Plastic is illegal, what can replace common household items?
SEI Research Associate Eleni Michalopoulou featured on a Russian television news segment to discuss the new EU law to ban single-use plastics.
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Press: How food production emissions are harming health
SEI Senior Research Fellow Chris Malley was interviewed by Neena Bhandari from SciDev.Net about a recent SEI study linking agriculture production, unhealthy diets and rising greenhouse gas emissions.
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Feature: Knowledge gaps are limiting the effective restoration of peatland habitat
Long-term research is required to understand the true impacts of different peatland management techniques. For the last 20 years, SEI has studied the effect of different management practices on UK peatlands.
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Feature: Addressing the biodiversity losses embedded in global commodity trade
With an increasing range of data, methods and tools now available, SEI is at the forefront of research to understand how these embedded biodiversity losses flow through global supply chains.
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Feature: New borderlands of water governance must transcend traditional boundaries
We need to rethink the old boundaries of water governance. Traditional units of governance in water management are spatial or biogeographical, watersheds, basins or catchments. Watersheds transcend political, cultural and national boundaries, but their governance is stuck in administrative settings that reflect small-scale national priorities. Those affected directly by water decision-making are left out, along with their environmental concerns.
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SEI Annual report 2020
How did SEI respond to COVID-19, and how is it contributing to a green recovery?
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Feature: Why we must reduce methane emissions now to solve the climate crisis
The launch of the new Global Methane Assessment last week identifies an important opportunity to reduce the rate of global warming and achieve significant health and development benefits by reducing methane emissions from human sources.
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Press: United Nations report is calling for swift action to cut emissions of methane
BBC News Chief Environment Correspondent Justin Rowlatt interviews SEI researcher Eleni Michalopoulou about the new Global Methane Assessment on the 6 o’clock news.
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Press. Global assessment: urgent steps must be taken to reduce methane emissions this decade
The assessment shows how human-caused methane emissions can be reduced by up to 45% this decade.
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Press: Global assessment - urgent steps must be taken to reduce methane emissions this decade
A Global Methane Assessment released today by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from SEI researchers, shows that human-caused methane emissions can be reduced by up to 45% this decade. Such reductions would avoid nearly 0.3°C of global warming by 2045 and would be consistent with keeping the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5˚C, within reach.
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Press: Climate change - UK’s carbon footprint down by 17% as pandemic helps move to eco-friendly lifestyles
SEI York’s Chris West is quoted in a Sky News article about the UK’s carbon footprint reduction.
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Feature: UK is keen to be green according to the largest ever analysis of consumers’ carbon footprints
More than 300,000 responses to the WWF carbon footprint calculator shows an average 17% reduction in footprint.
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Press: UK is keen to be green according to the largest ever analysis of consumers’ carbon footprints
More than 300,000 responses to the WWF carbon footprint calculator shows an average 17% reduction in footprint.
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Press: Average westerner’s eating habits lead to loss of four trees every year
Chris West was quoted in this Guardian article on the impacts of western consumption on global deforestation.
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Press: Millions of lives saved annually by 2040 if countries raise their climate ambitions to meet Paris Agreement targets
There is a clear link between reduced greenhouse gas emissions and better health. A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health shows how millions of premature deaths can be avoided – if the countries tighten their climate work.
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Press: Why biodegradable nappies might not be as eco-friendly as you think
It’s no secret that disposable nappies generate huge amounts of plastic waste, with three billion thrown away each year in the UK according to recycling charity WRAP. Are biodegradable nappies the answer if you’re trying to be a more sustainable parent?
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Feature: Important first step by President Joe Biden to limit methane pollution
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden declared to make progress on his climate agenda, including taking executive action to limit methane pollution from new and existing oil and gas operations. SEI expert on air pollution Dr. Johan C.I Kuylenstierna reacts to the decision.
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Feature: Bangladesh shows how to connect the dots between climate, pollution and health
An interview with key researchers on a project in Bangladesh that evaluated the local air pollution and human health impacts of policies that help mitigate global climate change.
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Feature: Measuring health and wellbeing in rapidly-growing cities
An interview with Steve Cinderby and Diane Archer about SEI's project, City Health and Wellbeing.
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Regional conference recommends citizen science as a people’s tool for achieving Sustainable Development Goals
SEI's Rachel Pateman suggests how citizen science can address chemical and waste issues that threaten public health and the environment
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Feature: The Ocean and Biodiversity
See SEI's groundbreaking work on the ocean and biodiversity.
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Feature: nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
The COVID-19 recovery offers a window to develop and implement climate action plans that integrate planning on energy, health and sustainable development towards a more sustainable and resilient recovery. SEI research comprises tools for and insights into such synergistic planning, and highlights how policies on fossil fuel production, air pollution and industry transition can be harnessed for more ambitious and effective NDCs.
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SEI joins global response to address clean air
Webinars, policy brief, interactive guide and rock star support.
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Press: Achieving Africa’s development in a way that limits air pollution and climate change
Nairobi, 7 September 2020 – As the world celebrates the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, a new assessment is being developed to illustrate how Africa can achieve key development goals, provide clean air for its people, and help the global fight against climate change. The assessment aims to inform decision making for sustainable economic development in Africa.
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Perspective: Blue sky thinking, tackling air pollution to increase ambition for the climate change agenda
As the global community prepares to mark the first International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, countries of all income and development levels are demonstrating that a focus on local air pollution can raise ambition needed to address global climate change.
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Press: Addressing air pollution to tackle public health and climate change
SEI provides policy advice and measures for addressing air pollution, health and climate change mitigation on the first UN International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
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Tackling Air Pollution at School
SEI and Dept of Environment and Geography join new clean air network.
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A burning issue: no blanket approach for blanket bogs
Research by SEI is contributing to heated debates about the best way to manage one of the UK’s most precious upland habitats.
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Press: The crucial link between air pollution and biodiversity loss
Kevin Hicks, International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) Europe Director contributed to the July issue of Air Quality News newsletter talking about the impact of ammonia emissions.
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Lockdown highlights the value of green space in cities
In Post COVID-19 recovery, public green spaces should play a key role in “building back better”.
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Feature: experts and SEI join in global call for a Covid-19 economic recovery linking health, climate, the environment and air pollution
The Scientific Advisory Panel of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition – which includes SEI Research Leader Johan C.I. Kuylenstierna – formally issued a call to the global scientific and policy community to work together to help the world recover from the Covid-19 crisis. Published by the International Journal of Public Health, the call urges economic stimulus efforts that make needed connections between health, air pollution, climate and the environment.
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Perspective: Lockdown highlights the value of green space in cities
Where you live, your income, and how your government has responded to the pandemic can result in critical differences in the availability and accessibility of green spaces, as shown here by the experience of SEI researchers around the world. In the recovery, public green spaces should play a key role in “building back better”.
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Feature: connecting planning on air pollution, health and climate
During the years 2015-2019, SEI invested in research, tool development and capacity enhancement as part of an initiative on Low Emissions Development Pathways (LED-P Initiative).Read about the outcomes and achievements of the work creating an integrated framework for climate change and air pollution, along with easy-to-use planning and analytical tools.
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Feature: Five ideas to turn the Covid-19 recovery into a global green new deal
Covid-19 is an unprecedented public health crisis, but it also offers a unique opportunity to revive our societies. Here, SEI experts make recommendations for a sustainable recovery, focusing on policies to promote equity, resilience and green growth.
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Feature: Covid-19 pandemic raises new questions about the health impacts of air pollution
Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, SEI conducted a group question-and-answer session to discuss known and emerging issues about air pollution. Senior Research Fellow Chris Malley, Research Leader Johan C.I. Kuylenstierna, and Acting Africa Centre Director Philip Osano answered questions posed by Communications Officer Karen Brandon.
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Perspective: What can you do for the planet while in lockdown?
Even if you are isolating, there are a range of citizen science initiatives that can help you connect with and support nature.
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Feature: New ways of thinking about sustainable water planning
SEI’s Marisa Escobar, Alison Dyke and Hector Angarita introduce the SEI Initiative on Water Beyond Boundaries and how it will help to break down barriers to sustainable water management for all.
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Feature: Sustainable production meets sustainable consumption
Sustainable consumption and production is often treated as a single concept, but the two agendas have, in practice, operated in virtual isolation – often talking about each other, but rarely interacting, and in the process critically weakening both. In 2015, SEI launched a new research initiative to explore why that is, and how to get the two working together.
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SEI York welcomes Sarah West as new centre director
Bringing her passion and inspiration to the role.
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SEI ranked world’s top environment policy think tank
SEI is ranked as the world’s top think tank on environmental policy issues in the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Global Go To Think Tanks Index, billed as the “premier database and measure of world think tanks”.
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SEI ranked world’s top environment policy think tank
SEI is ranked as the world’s top think tank on environmental policy issues in the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Global Go To Think Tanks Index, billed as the “premier database and measure of world think tanks”.
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We're recruiting!
Are you a great communicator and passionate about the environment? We're looking for a Communications Specialist to ensure our research makes an impact across the globe.
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Grant award for project to tackle air pollution in West African cities
Environmental and atmospheric scientists at the University of York and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) have been awarded £674,000 for a research project which aims to measure air pollution in some of West Africa’s fastest growing cities.
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Questions about Climate Change
We answer those questions put to us during the last School Climate Change Strike
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact the Communications team
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact the Communications team