Citizen Science & Sensors

For many journalists, especially those working in developing countries, coverage of sensitive environmental issues is severely constrained by a lack of accessible information and data. And in certain ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest or Ganges Delta, which are in constant flux, reliable data can be difficult to find.

To address this issue, Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) launched a pilot project aimed at devising innovative methods for its global network of environmental journalists to collect and incorporate data into their reporting, particularly reporting on environmental health issues.

The project, which was funded with by some private donors, Feedback Labs, and the Internews Center for Innovation and Learning, capitalized on groundbreaking developments in the realm of sensor technologies.

One example was an effort by EJN to build the Dustduino, a low-cost sensor for measuring particulate matter, a leading cause of mortality from respiratory diseases. Working with our partners at Frontline SMS, Ground Truth, Development Seed and Urban Code, we deployed prototypes in the Brazilan metropolis of Sao Paulo, as shown in the video above.

Banner image by Ana Elisa Santana/Portal EBC (CC BY 3.0)