RESET Special Feature: Civic Tech – Ways out of the Climate Crisis with Digital Civic Engagement

© Torge Peters/ Studio Nørden

With the help of digital tools, citizens can uncover environmental problems, collect important data and support protective measures. In our new upcoming Special Feature, we explore the question: How can civic tech solutions advance climate protection?

Author Sarah-Indra Jungblut:

Translation Mark Newton, 09.08.21

As confirmed by the latest IPPC report, the climate crisis is a Herculean task that requires immediate and radical changes worldwide. Decisive political action, with as many countries as possible pulling in the same direction, is undoubtedly the first priority if we plan to close on climate targets. At the same time, action must be locally appropriate and guided by an understanding of the benefits of action – and the consequences of inaction!

But how do we get there? How can citizens and civil society hold politics and business accountable, demand change, point out grievances and review measures? And how can as many people as possible participate in the processes, be involved in decisions and become active themselves?

Support comes from new, digital tools that are often summarised under the term Civic or Public Interest Tech. These make use of the new gold of our time – the immense data sets brought about by increasing digitalisation. For example, city dwellers install sensors on their balconies and thus not only learn which pollutants they breathe in the air where they live, but also create maps of the air quality in their city. Or volunteers can record animal populations on satellite images or identify methane emissions and illegal deforestation. This creates an important database for politicians and civil society to demand effective measures.

In our latest Special Feature, “Civic Tech – Ways out of the Climate Crisis with Digital Civic Engagement“, we will be taking a look at civic tech and public interest tech applications that enable and promote citizen engagement and participation in environmental and climate protection. And we’ll be talking to people who follow civic tech developments to explore the opportunities and challenges of digital civic engagement.

Civic What?!

But what exactly is behind the term Civic Tech? We explain it here: What is Civic Tech?

This article is part of the Special Feature Civic Tech – Ways out of the climate crisis with digital civic engagement”. You can find all articles of the Special Feature here: Special Feature Civic Tech

The Special Feature is part of the project funding of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt – DBU), in the framework of which we are producing four special features over two years on the topic of “Opportunities and potentials of digitalisation for sustainable development”.

More information here.

This article is a translation of an original article from our German-language website.

Zooniverse: A Million Volunteers are Helping to Spot Animals, Transcribe Records and Weather Watch in the Name of Science

Whether its counting penguins, deciphering historical records or listening to the stars, Zooniverse harnesses people power to assist in breaking down the big data behind scientific research.

The Community of Thousands of Volunteers Providing Free, Accurate Digital Maps for Humanitarian Response

Digital maps form an essential tool for humanitarian response. A group of mapping volunteers are now working to ensure all crises spots are covered.

Torge Peters/ Studio Nørden
Citizen Science – Everyday People Supporting Scientific Research

Counting birds, analysing satellite images, measuring air values - many organisations and research institutions rely on citizen support for research work. New digital tools make it even easier for lay researchers to contribute to new findings.

WeCount: The Traffic Sensors Empowering Citizens to Improve Urban Air Quality

Armed with simple sensors and open source data, a pioneering new EU-backed project hopes to help NGOs, governments and local citizens make urban areas healthier and safer places to live.

SkyTruth: Using the Power of Satellites to Hold Oil, Fracking and Fishing Companies Accountable

With a focus on oil spills, natural gas fracking and illegal fishing networks, SkyTruth’s work empowers NGOs and members of the public to become environmental watchdogs with a bird’s eye view.

AI and Digital Volunteers Team Up to Help Amnesty Identify Human Rights Injustices in Sudan

Amnesty International’s Decoders programme is tackling major large-scale investigations into human rights and environmental abuses - powered by thousands of digital volunteers around the world. RESET spoke to Amnesty Decoders manager Milena Marin to hear about the evolution of their ‘Decode Darfur’ project in Sudan, and how now they’re using AI to expand their reach.

Interview: OpenSpaceData Wants to Democratise Access to Satellite Data

The satellite images made during large ESA and NASA space missions are freely accessible to the general public - in theory at least. But in reality, not everyone can use them. Niklas Jordan wants to change that, with his project OpenSpaceData.

© Thok
“Roadwork ahead”: Study Reveals Strengths & Challenges in the Open Source Community

The open source community plays an important role in developing openly accessible and free digital infrastructure. A new study explores where the challenges lie.