About This Project
2DegreesC On a warming planet, it's unacceptable that many places have never seen a thermometer. This lack of quality climate observations hinders the creation of innovative and effective climate solutions. 2°C is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization solving that problem by transforming outdoor enthusiasts into environmental heroes by carrying one of our research-grade climate sensors, gathering essential environmental data wherever they go, and sharing them with scientists worldwide.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
A growing body of literature suggests that natural areas of the world are vulnerable to climate variability (e.g., IPCC 2014; Rustad et al. 2012; Latta et al. 2010). Those visiting these geographies have documented ecological changes, however, there is uncertainty in these attributions to climate change because of an inability to quantify the climate of many natural areas.
Citizen science is maturing into an accepted protocol for the advancement of scientific inquiry and, the public is expressing a desire to engage in the scientific process, especially in responding to climate change.
Citizen science offers a potentially cost-effective way for researchers to obtain large data sets over large spatial scales.
e.g.CoralWatch; CoCoRaHS; Audubon Climate Watch
What is the significance of this project?
Climate observations are historically made at a few thousand fixed locations globally. Most of the world's natural areas are thousands of km from the nearest observing site. Our approach is novel in that we are asking those who visit these natural areas to passively collect and share science-quality climate observations while they are enjoying the outdoors. We anticipate that participants will actively new areas to explore.
The convergence of current sensor technology, cloud computing capacities, and growing public interest in addressing the climate crisis makes it possible to recruit and equip a community of outdoor enthusiasts who carry IoT, cloud-connected sensors to collect and share accurate, georeferenced observations of temperature and humidity whenever they venture into nature.
What are the goals of the project?
Our goal is to demonstrate a cloud-connected wearable sensing technology that passively gathers research-quality climate observations that improve understanding of the climate and its impacts at local to community scales, to reduce gaps in the climate observing network while providing an opportunity for individuals to meaningfully address the climate crisis just by spending time outdoors.
a) By demonstrating the viability of a community science network of outdoor enthusiasts collecting climate data; b) contributed data will enhance the global suite of climate observing data, leading to better climate science and science-based decisions; c) participants feel they are doing good for the health of the planet, and improving their own health through outdoor activities.
Budget
This fundraiser is specifically to produce the Mobile App (iOS) that communicates with the 2°C LEAF Climate Sensor, each collecting scientifically valid, georeferenced observations. This is critical to the overall success of the project and provides the user with the tools to participate in environmental data gathering.
With respect to climate datasets that provide coverage over natural geographies (e.g., DAYMET, Thornton et al., 2016; PRISM, Daly 2006), a lack of new sources for climatological data has resulted in little improvement in data accuracy and resolution over natural areas, and insufficient effort to develop AI approaches that do so.
Improving the accuracy and spatial resolution of climate data in natural geographies requires validation of satellite or interpolative estimates using in situ observations and the integration of those new observations into existing climate datasets.
The answer is in the millions of people who visit these natural areas and 2°C LEAF.
Endorsed by
Project Timeline
We define success by how many people participate, how many become regular contributors of data, and how much of the data that is collected is useful to science. We believe the project can be considered successful by signing 500 participants, of which, 75% contribute more than one data file, and that at least 30% of participants indicate they intend to continue collecting data after the project ends. We will consider the data's use in at least 1 climate research effort to be a success.
Mar 12, 2021
Complete initial development of 2°C LEAF App (iOS)
Mar 26, 2021
Complete App Testing with Beta-Testers
Apr 30, 2021
Complete revisions to App and deploy pilot projects
Meet the Team
Team Bio
2DegreesC was founded by a team of partners of great experience and expertise in climate science and climate services. We count among this team former staff and associates from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, including database developers, data managers, the data quality administrator, and a director of corporate partnerships. Our team is enhanced by several key innovators in the area of conservation, electrical engineering, and systems architecture.
Karsten Shein
I do the sciency stuff.
Marine climatologist with a passion for connecting people to nature and solving climate challenges through tech-driven citizen science.
PhD in climatology and physical geography from Michigan State University and a 25+ year career as a climate scientist and knowledge broker, first with NASA, then at university, and later at NOAA. Most recently director of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center at the University of Illinois.
Leading authority on climate data, author/editor of major climate assessments and vulnerability reports, lead negotiator of international environmental agreements, and inventor of a widely used metadata standard.
Award-winning author of more than 250 articles, research SCUBA diver with a love of the oceans and all outdoors, avid photographer, EDM geek, gamer, and dad.
Working with climate data, I saw the sizeable gaps in the global observing network, and knew that citizen science could help close those gaps and make a critical contribution to science, but only if done right. That's what 2 Degrees C is about.
Neil van Niekerk
A firm believer in the power of science and the ability to do better.
A computer systems engineer (Ex EDS) who has sophisticated experience in consumer engagement and business management, particularly in the consumer recreation sector.
He will lead all project partnership efforts and implementations and will coordinate the development of participant outreach and engagement activities.
He received a Cayman Islands Heroes Day Award in 2017 and was nominated for the Governor's Award for Conservation (2012 & 2014)
In 2012 he led a team of 19 to explore a seamount south of Cuba to study population densities of invasive Lionfish, as part of the documentary film, 1000 Days for the Planet.
A South African native, that now lives in Florida.
Jenny Dissen
Together, we can galvanize ideas and mobilize forces to protect, preserve our planet and prosper. I believe we can leverage public, private and academic institutions - locally, nationally and globally - to reimagine how we live in harmony with our planet.
As I look to the future generations, my children's future, the one unfailing gift I can leave is knowledge of this current time, and space, and collect environmental data and information from this time, this space, that will brings insights.
At 2DC, the network of citizen scientists can deploy Leaf sensors and collect information about our planet, and stitch the data holes.
MS in environmental engineering, from NC State University, certificate in climate change and society. A 22+ year career working at the intersection of energy, business transformation, climate data, big data, engagement and policy, knowledge broker with data scientists and industry leaders, first with Accenture, w energy industry, then research institute at NOAA NCEI.
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