1.2.1 The value of local participation
Kythreotis et al. (2019, p. 5) propose that citizen science projects with a local focus can be particularly impactful, stating that ‘citizen engagement in policy and behavioural change is more likely to occur if issues are framed around audience values and more local and tangible concerns; and if individuals believe their actions make a difference’.
The following citizen science projects have a focus on local issues and could provide inspiration for developing your own citizen science project, perhaps in collaboration with students, to contribute to action addressing the climate emergency.
WOWnature
The WOWnature [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] project addresses air pollution in Po Valley in Northern Italy. Po Valley has one of the worst air qualities in Europe. The project invites local citizens to measure air pollution with innovative sensors via the WOWnature web-based platform, within and outside urban forests. In this way, the collected data will contribute to assessing the efficacy of forests as a mitigation measure for air pollution. The participants in this project are empowered to co-develop solutions and policy proposals for the local authorities.
Open Soil Atlas
The Open Soil Atlas focuses on soil pollution in Berlin, Germany. The project involves educating citizens via a series of free workshops on how to make observations, test the soil, interpret results and draw conclusions. The participants collect data – such as soil quality and GPS location – using a digital entry form, which generates a high-resolution soil quality map. The evidence is then used as an indicator for policymakers and other ecology initiatives, informing them about which areas can be exploited for agricultural purposes and which need remediation.
rePhotoSA
The rePhotoSA project is looking at how and why landscapes are changing across southern Africa. Participants ‘donate’ historical photographs of the southern African landscape, which are then digitised, added to the online database and compared with new views. These comparisons have spotted large changes in the area’s biodiversity, with invasive plants consuming the grasslands vital to absorbing atmospheric greenhouse gases.