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.
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.