Feature: The Ocean and Biodiversity

News | Posted on Monday 28 September 2020

See SEI's groundbreaking work on the ocean and biodiversity.

Coral reefscape in Puerto Galera, Philippines. Photo: Beth Watson / Getty.

SEI's Strategy for the Ocean and Biodiversity focuses on bridging science and policy within a) sources of marine pollution, b) coastal resilience and adaptation, c) governance of the blue economy, and d) commodity–driven land-use change and biodiversity loss.

SEI’s Ocean work

“The ocean is usually seen as the outlet of all human activities. Therefore many of the answers to resolve problems related to marine pollution are on land. This requires a systemic understanding of a different magnitude and the inclusion of a broader set of actors beyond marine science and marine policy.”

— Karina Barquet, Lead of the Strategic Policy Engagement for Oceans and Biodiversity, SEI.

SEI’s work on Biodiversity

SEI takes a leading role in the modelling of global agricultural commodity supply chains, and agriculture is one of the leading causes of terrestrial biodiversity loss. Understanding who and what drives international commodity demand, as well as which actors are involved, is the first step in designing a more equitable and sustainable future.

Given that economics drives much of the losses, it is also useful to understand the ensuing impacts on our economic systems and how we might balance the costs and benefits. SEI’s work focuses on the environmental dimensions of human development and well-being to realize our vision of a sustainable future.

— Jonathan Green, Co-lead of the Strategic Policy Engagement for Oceans and Biodiversity, SEI.

See the full feature on the SEI website