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?

The air in our cities is polluted. With sensors, citizens can collect measurements, allowing them to uncover sources and build up political pressure.

How many insects fly around us? Which species are out and about in our gardens, meadows and cities? It’s not an easy question to answer. But in the future, the KInsecta project will make it possible for researchers and interested laypeople to easily collect and evaluate data on the local insect world.

Citizen science usually requires an active participant to get - and stay - involved. Now researchers have been experimenting with a passive approach that deputises photographers into conservation and nature research, without them having to do anything.

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.

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.

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.

A citizen science project from Stuttgart wants you to build your own air pollution sensors - helping to create a global map of particulate pollution and raise awareness for an issue which is thought to kill millions of people each year.

The Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network allows citizens to document unusual environmental events around them with a simple app. This information is then relayed to experts and helps monitor climate change and plan adaptation and mitigation strategies.