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Empowering Citizen Science for Climate Awareness: The ClimateWatch Initiative

ClimateWatch, a program by Earthwatch Institute Australia, engages individuals in scientific research around climate change. By training and utilizing citizen scientists, it collects data on Australian flora and fauna, enhancing understanding of phenology—the study of life cycles of plants and animals affected by climate variables. The program fosters collaboration with universities and organizations to promote data-driven environmental practices and inspire sustainable behaviours. Through hands-on experience, ClimateWatch empowers Australians to contribute to vital conservation efforts and impact climate policy.

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Empowering Citizen Science for Climate Awareness: The ClimateWatch Initiative

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  1. October 9, 2013 Presented by: Kristine Nga Program Manager, ClimateWatch Earthwatch Institute (Australia)

  2. Earthwatch Mission Engages people, worldwide, in scientific research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. ClimateWatch

  3. Earthwatch Methodology • Work in partnership to: • support independent, peer-reviewed scientific research • engage people in hands-on field research within rigorously designed, scientifically validated, procedures • promote science-based conservation and sustainable management practices • engage, inspire and motivate action resulting in changed behaviours for a sustainable planet ClimateWatch

  4. ClimateWatch

  5. Citizen Science – what is it? The systematic collection and analysis of data; development of technology; testing of natural phenomena; and the dissemination of these activities by researchers on a primarily avocational basis. Source: Atlas of Living Australia ClimateWatch

  6. ClimateWatch • ClimateWatch allows every Australian to help shape our country’s scientific response to climate change. • It utilises the study of phenology to engage citizen scientists to help collect data on Australian flora and fauna. • What is it? – which species • Where was it? – location it was seen • When was it there? – date of the observation • How was it behaving? – nesting, flowering, calling Photo 1Here2.4” x 3.46” Photo 2Here2.4” x 3.46” Male Malurus splendens (Splendid Fairy-wren) Hibbertia hypericiodes (Native Buttercup) ClimateWatch

  7. IPCC 4th Assessment Report (2007)* ANZ submitted only 6 physical studies out of total 29,000 datasets and no continental biological studies. *Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability) to be released in March 2014 ClimateWatch

  8. Phenology The study of periodic plant and animal life cycles events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate. × × × Time Full flowering First flowering End of flowering ClimateWatch

  9. Shift in timing? Earlier × × × × Time ClimateWatch

  10. ClimateWatch

  11. ClimateWatch

  12. Why monitor these species? ClimateWatch

  13. Photo 1Here2.4” x 3.46” Photo 2Here2.4” x 3.46” ClimateWatch

  14. Species Field Guide ClimateWatch

  15. ClimateWatch trails Species/How Many/Behaviour/Comments ClimateWatch

  16. How to record using mobile app • Download iPhone app (iTunes store) & Android (Google Play store) now • Sign into account • Select species • Species info provided • Record sighting • GPS and date/time recorded • Ability to take a photo • Phenophases are loaded automatically for each species • Sightings are synced to web account and can edit on website • *Requires 3G or wifi, but will store sightings for later if in poor reception area ClimateWatch

  17. Entering data on website • Similar to mobile app, type in species name and species fields automatically loaded. • Use address locater to pinpoint location or type in GPS coordinates. • If site is frequented often (i.e. backyard), save as ‘My location’ for next time. ClimateWatch

  18. Current work • ClimateWatch has partnered with Royal Botanic Gardens, Scouts, universities, EECs, MDCs, and corporate sponsors to deliver the program. • 10 universities , totaling xx students • 50+ trails • Over 45,000 sightings and over 9500 users ClimateWatch

  19. Snapshot: University partnerships • Case 1: University of Western Australia Pilot 2011-2012 • Objective: Teach students about species identification , climate change and importance of citizen science in collecting reliable data • Outcome • Species identification • Experimental design • Data collection and analysis, map-making • Learned about the impact of climate change on biodiversity • Writing peer-reviewed journal articles (Available online: http://cygnus-biologystudentjournal.wikispaces.com/Journal+Home • Case 2: Australian National University 2013 • Objective: Teach students about the impact of climate change on Australian biodiversity. • Outcome • Species identification • Data collection • Research ClimateWatch

  20. Citizen science capacity building ClimateWatch

  21. Where does the data go? Data is then used by scientists and researchers to help inform policy-makers about conservation and environmental priorities. ClimateWatch

  22. Kristine Nga Program Manager, ClimateWatch Earthwatch Institute (Australia) knga@earthwatch.org.au Program Partners Principal sponsor Marine Sponsor Founding sponsor ClimateWatch

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