Extreme weather events as a result of climate change are having a high impact in Europe. Nature-based approaches can offer sustainable solutions to cope with climate change and adaptation challenges. The UCD-led European OPERANDUM project focuses on reducing flood risk. 

Citizen Science

OPERANDUM is led by Prof Francesco Pilla, Professor in UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy. Pilla's goal is to build better cities through technology, innovation and citizen participation. He focuses on empowering local communities with cutting-edge technology and enabling them to act on pressing environmental issues in their local environment.

Through the OPERANDUM project, he is using a citizen science approach and working with the public to set up weather stations in their homes. 

Project

The threat of flooding in Dublin is becoming an all too frequent reality. Warnings from the International panel on Climate Change have stressed the potential severity of future floods in line with the continued impact of global warming. Dublin’s position along the coast makes this an acute point of vulnerability.

Through the project Dr. Pilla has acquired the funding to purchase 100 weather stations so that Dublin citizens can set up weather stations. He works with local communities and schools to help monitor weather changes and soil moisture to better understand how green spaces can help reduce the risk of flooding. By using citizen science, communities are not only made aware of the problem but given the opportunity to also be part of the solution.

Find more information on the project here and follow wider EU project progress here.