Blog | IIASA

The blog is an informal outlet for IIASA researchers and the wider IIASA global network to share their research, insights, and perspectives. It does not necessarily represent the official views or position of the institute.

Local people working in their field, near Lamin village, Gambia, West Africa

08 July 2024

Future food demand in The Gambia: can increased crop productivity and climate adaptation close the supply–demand gap?

The Gambia faces significant food availability issues due to low agricultural productivity. IIASA researchers and colleagues used the FABLE Calculator to explore actions to reduce the food supply-demand gap by 2050. The results, published in Food Security, reveal that current cropland will not meet food demand by 2050.

Network Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES) Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) Integrated Biosphere Futures (IBF) Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land, and Energy (FABLE) Scenathon Gambia Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organization (SSARMO)

AI Generated image of tree and network - sustainable development concept

28 June 2024

Launching a scientific career: The impact of the YSSP experience

Every year, the IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) hosts around 50 young scientists for three months over the course of the summer to undertake a scientific project within the scope of their PhD on a topic related to the IIASA research agenda. In this Q&A, Carolien Kroeze, current Rector Magnificus of Wageningen University and 1991 YSSP participant, recounts her IIASA experience.

Network Alumni YSSP Netherlands

24 June 2024

Predicting EU migration trends: merging traditional and social media data

IIASA researchers Dilek Yildiz and Guy Abel highlight the benefits of a new statistical model that combines traditional data sources like the census with real-time Facebook data to estimate EU migrant populations, offering valuable insights for policymakers.

Science into Policy Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Multidimensional Demographic Modeling (MDM) Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG)

A crowd of wooden figures surrounded by measuring tape representing information statistics, measurement of the number, trends of population growth.

18 June 2024

Human capital growth persists with upcoming population decline

The world's population has surged from 1 billion in 1800 to just above 8 billion today, but demographers predict this growth will halt by the end of the 21st century. IIASA researcher Guillaume Marois explains how a new human capital-weighted population metric is reshaping our understanding of global population dynamics and economic potential.

Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Multidimensional Demographic Modeling (MDM) Shared Socioeconomic Pathways Scenario Database (SSP)

Transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, analog to digitalization, concept illustrated in origami paper folding

14 June 2024

Expert workshop on digitalization narratives and climate change mitigation

Charlie Wilson and Elena Verdolini share insights and experiences from an expert workshop on the impacts of digitalization on energy, materials, the economy, markets, lifestyles, and society, and how these impacts directly or indirectly affect greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Sustainable Service Systems (S3) Transformative Institutional and Social Solutions (TISS)

Citizen science and its power to engage the public with scientific endeavors.

11 April 2024

Breaking boundaries through citizen science

The way we do science has come a long way—from having only experts work on scientific projects, to where many projects now also include members of the public as participants. This change is thanks to citizen science, which creates opportunities for science to be taken to the next level.

Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES)

Circular economy icons on bright green background

30 March 2024

Transforming waste into a valuable resource

As the world marks the International Day of Zero Waste, Adriana Gómez-Sanabria highlights that the path to zero waste will require a shift in society’s current consumption and production patterns. Originally conceived to shield humanity and the environment from the fallout of our actions, waste management systems must now evolve into engines of sustainability.

Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Pollution Management (PM)

Satellite in space with network connections around Earth.

20 March 2024

From Earth Observation data to policy impact

Despite advancements in data collection and analysis, bridging the gap between Earth Observation products and policy implementation remains a critical challenge. The upcoming Open-Earth-Monitor Global Workshop 2024 provides an ideal platform to explore the pivotal role of Earth Observation in shaping policies and contribute insights to achieving a sustainable future.

Science into Policy Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES)

Everyone must take part in unlocking the gates that "guard" scientific knowledge.

12 March 2024

Making science everybody's business

In a world faced with global crises, political agendas, and copyright issues, an obstacle emerges between the public and the scientific community: the gatekeeping of information. Ramon Castañeda explores the impact of open science and its potential to make scientific knowledge more accessible.

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