24. Citizen science in conflict zones
Workshop session | Chairperson: Eoghan Darbyshire | Thursday, 10 September 2020 | 10:00-11:30
10:00-11:30 | 24.1 Citizen science in areas affected by armed conflicts
Author/s: Eoghan Darbyshire, Doug Weir, Linsey Cottrell and Leonie Nimmo
Presenters: Eoghan Darbyshire, Doug Weir, Leonie Nimmo, Mirella Di Lorenzo, Mohamed Hassan, Mazim QumsiyehSummary:
Armed conflicts harm the environment and, by disrupting societies and environmental governance, create and sustain the conditions where environmental degradation is more likely. The harm associated with conflicts not only affects biodiversity and ecosystems but often has serious implications for human health and the vulnerability of communities.
Understanding and addressing these impacts requires robust environmental data, yet data collection in conflict areas is difficult. Lack of access, insecurity and capacity deficits can all hamper research. Using examples from Colombia, Palestine and Somalia, this session will explore citizen science’s potential to help plug this data gap.