Social Science
Be a citizen scientist.
Citizen scientists are people like you or me, simply members of the public who devote some of their free time to collecting and contributing data to scientific projects. If you’re interested in environmental issues, consider joining one of these initiatives:
ClimateWatch
Frustrated by politicians not taking climate-change issues seriously enough? Consider doing your bit to support climate science by signing up to this national program. Developed by Australian research and education body Earthwatch with the Bureau of Meteorology and the University of Melbourne, it aims to better help scientists understand how climate change is affecting our plants and wildlife. Get involved in collecting and recording local data using a free app, available on Apple iTunes and Google Play. www.climatewatch.org.au.
Take 3 For The Sea
This NSW-based organisation requests that next time you visit a beach, river or any waterway, you take three pieces of rubbish away with you. This small action could have a big collective effect on the health of our oceans. Over the past summer, Take 3 ran a campaign in which supporters worldwide were asked to photograph rubbish they collected and share images on social media. The message was spread far and wide, while researchers were able to collect and analyse data from the images. Similar campaigns are likely to follow. www.take3.org.
Feather Map of Australia
Did you know that scientists can uncover vital information about waterbirds by using nuclear technology to analyse the feathers they shed? Researchers from the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation and the University of NSW are using state-of-the-art technology to glean data about the birds’ diet and habitat. Sign up and start collecting feathers. feathermap.ansto.gov.au.
BowerBird
If you love social media and the environment, register here and get involved with all manner of citizen-science projects, from Fungimap and the Caterpillar Conundrum to the Bendigo Field Naturalists
Club. You can upload pictures of your sightings, ‘favourite’ other people’s photos or start your own project. A great meeting place for anyone interested in sharing plant and animal knowledge or in helping others with their scientific endeavours. www.bowerbird.org.au.