Citizen science microclimate

The Urban Microclimate App will provide citizens with a simple tool for measuring the microclimate around their homes and neighbourhood. Citizens will be using this app in conjunction with the “citizen sensors”. A number of citizen sensors measuring temperature and humidity will be distributed amongst local communities in various Australian states. Citizens will be able to view the temperature and humidity of their locations along with the same for other “citizen sensors” across Australia that are connected through the app. Citizens can specify the attributes of their location, ranging from densely built urban area to green area; locations including park, car park; special features including proximity to water, shade, irrigated grass and wind conditions. Citizens can also take a picture or video of the location and upload through the app. In addition, a number of reference stations with high precision sensors are connected via this app. Citizens can review their results with reference to these stations and compare with the selected Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) weather stations.

This app is developed as part of a citizen science project that aim to work with local councils and citizens across Australia to design infrastructure for measuring urban heat island, overheating, and local climate change. The number of extreme hot days is predicted to increase significantly over the next few decades in all Australian cities with negative impacts on public health, mortality rates, energy demand and economy. Through this app that works in conjunction with the “citizen sensor”, citizens will get an understanding of the important parameters influencing the microclimate. Through participating in various experiments, citizens will be well-informed to respond to extreme heat through an understanding of the influential factors (such as design features, greenery and materials) affecting the local urban microclimate and the ways to deal with the adverse effects from increased temperatures. The results from this study will provide data required for citizens to understand, mitigate and adapt to extreme heat. Better informed citizens can respond better to council’s climate change mitigation policies and climate change related legislations by the state and Federal Government. Ultimately it is hoped that citizens will be empowered and motivated to implement appropriate mitigation techniques to improve the microclimate in their home or neighbourhood.