Book of Nature
Context
The AGORA communication project "external page Open the Book of Nature" created a stage for interaction between scientists and citizens in order to raise awareness and understanding of the impacts of climate and environmental change, namely in Switzerland, but also in other parts of the world. The website Book-of-Nature involved the public through participation and discussion. Applying a Citizen Science approach to climate change impacts, the audience collected field observations and photographs in four Book Chapters or topics: plants, animals, landscapes, climate; and scientists in return provided observation guidelines and scientific information and interpretation to the public.
Aims
The Open the Book of Nature project raised awareness by
- animating persons with little access to science to explore their environment with simple methods,
- educating these persons about impacts of climate and environmental change in Switzerland and beyond, and
- engaging these persons in discussions and making them part of a scientific process that involves leading Swiss scientists and research institutions.
The Open the Book of Nature project delivered
- a collaboration concept to assure widely-supported features, technical compatibility,
- a website "Book-of-Nature" including a content management system with efficient editorial information handling,
- a social media site for presenting information and fostering discussions.