Transforming Conservation: The Impact of Citizen Science on Global Environmental Efforts

Citizen science is an exciting way to involve everyday people in research. It’s changing conservation efforts at local, national, and global levels by bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. The key idea? Anyone can contribute. When people engage in citizen science, they become part of the scientific community, even if they don’t have formal training.

The term “citizen” here doesn’t relate to nationality. Instead, it emphasizes science done by the people, for the people. By participating in research projects, people learn about scientific processes and can shape outcomes in meaningful ways.

Citizen scientists can engage in all stages of research. They can ask questions, develop methods, gather data, analyze results, and share their findings. This engagement helps raise awareness of scientific challenges and drives positive change.

Citizen science is already making a difference across many fields, like conservation. It addresses gaps in evidence and encourages public participation. While it’s still rare for citizen science to directly influence policy, there are clear examples of its impact. Research shows it can promote policies, track their progress, and advocate for enforcement.

For instance, in Western New York, a group known as the Clean Air Coalition was formed by citizens worried about air quality and health issues in their community. In 2004, they gathered air samples to present to state and federal agencies.

This led to serious investigations. Over a year, air pollution was monitored in Tonawanda, which pushed the Tonawanda Coke Corporation to improve its operations. As a result, levels of dangerous benzene dropped by an impressive 92% by the end of monitoring.

At a larger scale, citizen science plays a role in national initiatives. The Big Butterfly Count in the UK invites people to track butterfly populations. In July and August of 2024, around 85,000 volunteers reported their sightings. Unfortunately, the results revealed the lowest butterfly numbers recorded in the survey’s history.

The Butterfly Conservation charity used this data to urge the UK government to ban harmful pesticides. On January 23, 2025, in response, the government decided not to grant any emergency pesticide applications for the first time in five years, highlighting citizen scientists’ influence in assessments.

Global Impact

Citizen science also contributes to international conservation policies. The UN utilizes citizen data in environmental frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kunming-Montreal agreement, both aimed at addressing environmental issues.

For example, the Earthwatch Institute participates in FreshWater Watch, a global project that engages communities in water quality monitoring. In countries like Sierra Leone and Zambia, citizens gather data about freshwater quality, supporting progress towards clean water goals.

Currently, only a small number of SDG indicators integrate citizen science data. However, studies suggest it could contribute significantly to measuring progress in areas like biodiversity.

The Great UK WaterBlitz is another example. This national campaign gathers volunteers to test water quality in local lakes and rivers. Volunteers use simple kits to check for nitrates and phosphates, which can lead to harmful algal blooms when found in high concentrations.

The Earthwatch team has conducted such testing for over ten years, expanding the campaign nationwide. In September 2024, the biggest event attracted 4,500 participants, helping to identify pollution hotspots. Although this data isn’t currently used for formal assessments, it’s gaining recognition for helping improve water ecosystems.

Despite these successes, citizen science faces challenges. Retaining volunteers requires significant resources, and funding can be difficult. Additionally, while scientific methods are often validated by labs, some policymakers remain hesitant to use citizen-collected data due to concerns about quality and reliability.

Yet, citizen science is reshaping conservation efforts today and will likely continue to grow as policymakers recognize its value. With numerous projects around the world, anyone can contribute to this important movement.