Book of Nature

Context

The AGORA communication project "Open the Book of Nature" creates 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 external pageBook-of-Naturecall_made will involve the public through participation and discussion. Applying a Citizen Science approach to climate change impacts, the audience will collect field observations and photographs in four Book Chapters or topics: plants, animals, landscapes, climate; and scientists inreturn will provide observation guidelines and scientific information and interpretation to the public.

Aims

The Open the Book of Nature project will raise 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 will deliver

• 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.