The presentation focused on citizen science as a way to strengthen informed citizen participation in environmental decision making and access justice. Some strong citizen science initiatives started in Ireland before the term was coined and spread across Europe, from air pollution indicator mapping to the annual Coastwatch autumn shore survey which will be used as case study. These long-term projects sit beside a wealth of tailor-made short-term citizen science initiatives which illustrate the wealth of opportunity we have to discover, monitor and influence the state of our environment.
Karin Dubsky, BA MSC Director of Coastwatch and coastal ecologist, is an experienced member of the environmental NGO community, post graduate scientist researcher, consultant and teacher. A marine-ecologist, at Trinity College, she is notable as an environmental activist, coordinator and co-founder of Coastwatch Europe. Her research work and practical citizen science projects range from nature, especially wetland protection, over waste, oil and litter prevention and control, to coastal zone management and better application of environmental law and respect for traditional knowledge and rights. She was born in Germany and her family moved to Ireland when she was 10.
For more information contact Gisela.Holfter@ul.ie.