Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to review how citizen science programs can contribute to each SDG, supported also by successful cases. Prerequisites have been the inclusion of at least one case from all five global areas and the field of interest is well spread through various study areas while the cases are only RFO or RPO projects. The design and implementation of this research is structured as follows. Each SDG is analyzed in a separate chapter. To begin with, the main goals of the relevant SDG are mentioned. The chapter continues with the relevance of citizen science projects to the respective goal. Ultimately, an example on how a citizen science project can make the goal effective is chosen. The case studies are selected based on their location, the timeframe of the project, and are structured beginning with the people or institutions involved, continuing with the project description and concluding with the project's contribution to the relevant SDG. The chapter then proceeds to a comparative case study analysis, with results and discussion in order to extract conclusions.
TopIntroduction
In September 2015 the General Assembly of the United Nations stipulated a global agenda, namely Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also includes global targets that should be accomplished by 2030, in order to achieve a sustainable function of society, economy and the environment for the long run. The targets address five fields, namely the well-being of people (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11), the well-being of the planet (6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15), the prosperity of communities (5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14), the achievement of peace and social cohesion (10, 11, 16) and the creation of partnerships (11,17) (ICOMOS, 2021).
In parallel, during recent years, new technologies for data collection and collaboration have radically transformed the ways though which researchers can work together with citizens, as well as the ways through which they can collect and process data in research. The approach of citizen science, more particularly, is based on citizen participation in research, with a particular focus on implementing research in collaboration with scientists and research institutions (McKinley et al., 2015). Striking examples of applications of this nexus can be found in recent projects related to the observation of land and marine ecosystems, as well as astronomy and conservation. These represent areas in which citizen participation has vastly improved the pace and quality of data collection, analysis and evaluation (Schleicher & Schmidt, 2020). In overall, citizen science has created new potentials for synergies between academia and citizens, enabling learning and knowledge and raising awareness about important topics of interest for researchers, institutions and communities (Vohland et al., 2021). As a natural consequence of all these exciting developments, citizen science has also been increasingly gaining traction within the context of formal Research and Innovation (R&I) performed by Research Funding Organizations (RFOs) or Research Performing Organizations (RPOs), namely universities and research organizations, while several citizen science labs and hubs are being funded and developed therein.
Citizen science can have a positive impact on progress towards the achievement of many SDGs, with positive effects also at national and regional level (Dorler et al., 2021). Notable examples include culture integration in sustainable development approaches (UCLG, 2018), heritage, creativity and diversity (ICOMOS, 2021), equality and social inclusion, and urban planning and public spaces (UCLG, 2018). Following this realization, during the last few years, discussions from various institutes have shown how citizen science can promote the SDGs, and what new metrics and targets for their implementation and their monitoring could be used (West et al., 2021). Discussions have also been focusing on the potential to contribute in accelerating the achievement of SDG targets (Fritz et al., 2019).
The aim of this paper is to review how citizen science projects and initiatives can contribute and be relevant to each SDG, supported also by successful cases. Essential prerequisites have been the inclusion of at least one case from all five global areas and the field of interest is very well spread through various study areas, while the cases are only Research Funding Organizations (RFOs) or Research Performing Organizations (RPOs) projects.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Research Performing Organizations (RPO): Organizations that enable and empower researchers to take action responsibly and reduce the threats of violations to research ethics. They also make sure that proper policies and procedures, facilities and government arrangements are established.
Climate Change Mitigation: Consists of steps to curb global warming and its related consequences. It involves limitations of human-made greenhouse gases and the reduction of their accumulation in the atmosphere.
Biodiversity: The biological variety of life on the planet. It is a measure of dissimilarities at the ecosystem and genetic level. It surrounds the ecological, cultural, and evolutionary procedures that support life on Earth.
High-Level Political Forum of Sustainable Development (HLPF): A division of both the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the United Nations General Assembly, in charge of the organization’s strategy on sustainable development. It reviews the progress and commitments of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
National Science Foundation (NSF): An independent organization of the government of the United States that assists cardinal research in the fields of engineering and science (with the exclusion of health-related projects).
Research Funding Organizations (RFO): Organizations that fund projects and research programs at their capability level. These organizations can range from research institutes and agencies to higher education institutions, and they set regulations and standards on research and science at a political level.
Citizen Science: Scientific research managed, in part or as a whole, by nonprofessional scientists and/or citizens. Citizens help scientific research by public participation, collection and analysis of data, research and monitoring actions which frequently offer advancements in improving public understanding of science and increasing awareness to the community.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): A collection of 17 interconnected goals drafted in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and created to be a map for a global sustainable future. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved until 2030 and indicators that are used to evaluate the progress towards respective targets.