Laura and Carmen, representing the GAMA group (Department of Applied Physics) from the University of Barcelona, traveled to Chania, Crete, for the 18th Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Risks. The conference provided an interdisciplinary forum for discussing the latest insights into Mediterranean risks in the context of climate change.
On Wednesday, 3 October, during the session “Socio-economic impacts: exposure, vulnerability, perspectives, and adaptation,” we presented the results of citizen science activities implemented during the I-CHANGE Day. The presentation (Esbri et al., 2024) showcased how the I-CHANGE project, through its Living Labs (LLs), aims to bring science closer to citizens, encouraging them to participate in research and interpret the results, thus becoming an active part of efforts to mitigate climate change. The success story of the I-CHANGE Day demonstrated how cooperation among LLs in co-creating citizen science activity protocols has successfully engaged diverse communities.
One of the activities focused on temperature perception, water resources, and climate change in neighborhoods. Participants shared concerns about the effects of extreme temperatures on their communities and how they influence daily life. Volunteers, either cycling or walking, experienced how their environment shaped their heat perception, which they then compared with collected data. Another achievement was the air pollution and CO2 measurement campaign, where volunteer stakeholders in various LLs installed Smart Citizen Kits (SCKs) for a comon perios. These low-cost devices provided valuable data on environmental differences within the same city. All citizen-collected data during these activities, temperature and humidity measures from the bikying or walking routes alongside air pollution and CO2 levels from the Smart Citizen Stations, can be explored trought the I-CHANGE dashboard.
In the same session, Massimo Milelli (CIMA) discussed how citizen science can promote urban climate understanding and tackle climate change hazards through the I-CHANGE and AGORA projects. Additionally, our colleagues from CNR presented a poster on citizen science initiatives in Chiavari, engaging young people in climate adaptation and disaster management by reconstructing a past flood event with local data collection.
This conference was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas on the impact of low-cost sensors and citizen science in mitigating climate change impacts, share I-CHANGE project results, and connect with researchers studying climate risks in the Mediterranean region. The event concluded with a delightful gala dinner featuring local food, music, and traditional dances.
Participation in 18th Plinius Conferecnce 1
Participation in 18th Plinius Conferecnce 2
Participation in 18th Plinius Conferecnce 3
Participation in 18th Plinius Conferecnce 4
Milelli, M., Oberto, E., Uboldi, F., Polo, L., Parodi, A., Adinolfi, M., and Mercogliano, P.: Enhancing the engagement of citizens in weather data collection: the AGORA and I-CHANGE Projects approach, 18th Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Risks, Chania, Greece, 30 Sep–3 Oct 2024, Plinius18-83, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-plinius18-83, 2024.
Marchesini, I., Mezzacapo, U., Sterlacchini, S., Voltolina, D., Gencarelli, C., Esposito, G., Galizia, A., Fortunati, M., Sarretta, A., Mondini, A., and Salvati, P.: Engaging Youth in Citizen Science for Geohydrological Risk Awareness: A Case Study from Chiavari, 18th Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Risks, Chania, Greece, 30 Sep–3 Oct 2024, Plinius18-84, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-plinius18-84, 2024.