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On June 5^th, 2024, aligning with World Environment Day, the I-CHANGE project successfully organised the I-CHANGE Day within the context of the European Green Week 2024. This initiative saw the coordination of the eight Living Labs (LLs) on citizen science campaigns aimed at measuring meteorological and air pollution using low-cost sensors. Notably, the initiative included the submission of seven activities as Partner Events for the EU Green Week 2024.

The first of these joint activities involved air pollution measurement across the cities of Barcelona, Bologna, Genoa, Dublin, and Ouagadougou. Low-cost air quality sensors, installed in these cities, collected data over a common period, culminating on the I-CHANGE Day. The primary objective was to compare air pollution levels across different regions and leverage this data to enhance citizen engagement. This engagement has significantly raised public awareness of the impact of air pollution and the need for sustainable practices within their communities. To support this campaign, a detailed protocol was developed, guiding the process through its various phases.

A second collaborative campaign focused on a citizen science experiment where residents from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bologna, Dublin, Genoa, Hasselt, Jerusalem, and Ouagadougou gathered high-resolution data on temperature, humidity, and pressure. This experiment aimed to investigate temperature perception in specific urban areas, exploring the interplay between temperature, humidity, and social usage of these spaces. The comparison of these locations provided crucial insights into the significance of urban spaces for different communities, offering a basis for developing innovative solutions and assessing the effectiveness of existing nature-based interventions in urban environments.

Achievements to date:

• Air pollution campaign:
  • Data collection was successfully carried out by 13 SCKs (Sensor Kits) across five different Living Labs over the designated period.
  • All participating Living Labs operated at least two functional sensors between May 22^nd and June 5^th, 2024.
  • A total of 10 characterisation forms were submitted, allowing the assessment of the air quality station's environment.

• Citizen science activity on temperature perception:
  • Seven LLs organised the activity based on the protocol (with local adaptations) and participated in the EU Green Week as partner events.
  • Over 140 citizens contributed to the citizen science activity.
  • Participants showed great interest in better understanding how temperatures affect their neighbourhoods differently and learning how they can better adapt.

Looking ahead, the insights gathered from the water-temperature activity using MeteoTracker devices will be presented at the 18th Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Risks, that will take place from September 30^th to October 3^rd, 2024, in Chania, Greece. This conference will serve as a critical interdisciplinary platform, addressing Mediterranean risks in the context of climate change. Discussions will span a variety of topics, including monitoring, assessment, prediction, and management of weather extremes, wildfires, hydro-geological impacts, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. The I-CHANGE project’s contributions will underscore the importance of citizen science in understanding and mitigating climate-related risks.

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About I-CHANGE

I-CHANGE - Individual Change of HAbits Needed for Green European transition - is a European Horizon 2020 project which runs for 3,5 years (Start date: 1 November 2021). The project aims to face the challenge of engaging and promoting the active participation of citizens for addressing climate change, sustainable development and environmental protection in the framework of the European Green Deal, the European Climate Pact and the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The activities of I-CHANGE are strongly rooted in real society through interaction, co-development and cooperation with eight interactive Living Labs across Europe (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bologna, Dublin, Genoa, and Hasselt), Israel and Burkina Faso.

To learn more about I-CHANGE, visit the website: https://ichange-project.eu/

And follow the social media channels:

• X: @ICHANGE_EU 
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ichange-eu

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101037193.