A Role for Nature-Based Citizen Science in Promoting Individual and Collective Climate Change Action? A Systematic Review of Learning Outcomes
Abstract
As a model of communication and engagement, citizen science has the potential to promote individual and collective climate change action. This article systematically reviewed literature that jointly addressed climate change and nature-based citizen science and identified 23 reported learning outcomes. Overall, evidence related to learning outcomes was limited across reviewed studies, but documentation of outcomes that are directly relevant to collective climate action was particularly scarce. Findings suggest more research examining citizen science from a collective climate action perspective is needed. To support future research efforts, results link the 23 revealed learning outcomes to two potential evaluation frameworks.
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Biographies
Mark Groulx is an assistant professor in the School of Environmental Planning at the University of Northern British Columbia. His current research examines climate change adaptation planning, place and environmental stewardship, and innovative tools and processes for engaging the public as partners in climate change action.
Marie Claire Brisbois is currently a Canadian Science Policy Postdoctoral Fellow hosted by Ottawa University and Natural Resources Canada. Her academic interests concern issues of power and empowerment in the governance of natural resources and sustainability transitions.
Christopher J. Lemieux is a conservation social scientist working to enhance management effectiveness of Canada’s protected areas. His research focuses primarily on conservation goals, climate change adaptation planning, and the role of protected areas in human health promotion. He is a director of the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas and is a member of the World Commission on Protected Areas. For more information, please visit https://cjlemieux.wordpress.com/.
Amanda Winegardner completed a PhD in biology from McGill University, Canada, and specializes in the use of lake and pond sediment records to study aquatic biodiversity responses to environmental change. She has been involved in citizen science programs in Churchill, Manitoba, since 2010. She recently began working for the Government of Canada.
LeeAnn Fishback is the principal investigator on the Earthwatch Institute “Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge” citizen science research program in Churchill, Manitoba. As the scientific coordinator at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, she provides a point of contact for researchers, executes scientific research, coordinates contract research, participates in the teaching of academic and general interest courses, and communicates current science issues to the public. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg and Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts.
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