Environmental monitoRIng through Civic engAgement (ERICA)

Description

The ERICA project aims to address the socio-environmental impacts of the fossil fuel industry, often obscured by industry influence. It leverages citizen science initiatives for independent environmental monitoring, enhancing public engagement and data reliability. 

By empowering citizens with training and accessible technology, ERICA fosters informed decision-making and advocacy. Through scalable methodologies, it equips communities to gather, evaluate, and utilize environmental data, promoting evidence-based policies and actionable knowledge. 

ERICA will bridge the gap between science and civil society, bolstering environmental stewardship and contributing to a more sustainable future.

The project aims to leverage citizen science for climate action and environmental protection, fostering public understanding of climate change and fossil fuel impacts. Specific objectives include:

• Enhancing citizens’ understanding of environmental monitoring’s significance in combating climate change by gathering EU-level knowledge and best practices.
• Improving adult citizens’ skills in organizing and participating in environmental monitoring citizen science initiatives.
• Enhancing knowledge of technology use in community-based environmental monitoring, bolstering digital skills.
• Raising awareness among adults about fossil fuel industry environmental effects, empowering them in climate action.
• Improving public access to environmental data for various activities, including citizen events, education, campaigns, and policy co-creation.

The primary target demographic consists of environmentally conscious adults seeking empowerment through enhanced participation in evaluating the environmental impact of fossil fuel industries. They will create a community of practice, exchanging knowledge and refining skills. In addition, they will actively contribute to project activities through co-design and participatory methods, facilitated by local partners. 

Other stakeholders encompass policymakers, environmental NGOs, citizen science networks, universities, schools, extractive companies, and the scientific community. Their involvement ranges from policy adoption to youth engagement and industry awareness. Collaboratively, participants aim to broaden environmental monitoring efforts, sharing insights, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and promoting the project’s impact.

Three pilot sites have been chosen for the development of ERICA:

• Tarragona Petrochemical Complex (Spain)
• Lake Pertusillo (Italy)
• Konin Lignite Region (Poland)