After more than four years of work, on March 30, 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) presented the results of its comprehensive study of the conditions and trends of the world’s ecosystems and the linkages to human well-being.
The MA is an independent, collaborative four-year effort by 1,300 scientists in 95 countries. It has working groups, focusing on (1) changes in ecosystems and their services; (2) the consequences of future changes in ecosystems and human well-being; (3) the viability of various policy response options; and (4) ecosystem change and human well-being across different spatial scales. These working groups and 16 unique sub-global assessments will produce a variety of technical and synthesis reports aimed at policy-makers, business, and the public. More information is available at the MA website www.maweb.org.
WRI staff members were involved in writing the initial conceptual framework, drafting sections on freshwater, dryland systems, and biodiversity, and providing scientific and policy reviews for numerous sections. The Institute is also leading the engagement and outreach activities. As the MA ends, WRI is in position to help bring the MA findings to bear upon policy decisions at both the global and sub-global levels.
