Toolkits
The OTTERS consortium developed a co-creation toolkit based on the results of the activities to help others scale citizen science (CS). Three pilot countries were selected based on their experience with CS projects.
River plastic pollution and household waste in Armenia, are a significant environmental concern.
Disposing of wastewater in the Sevan Lake and rivers can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health.
To address several environmental and health concerns, the European Commission (EC) and the Armenian Government implemented a range of policies and recommendations on plastics.
CS can help address different problems and involve various tasks such as data collection, analysis, and reporting, often in collaboration with professional scientists.
This co-creation toolkit enable any interested stakeholders to organise a session and afterward, a campaign that will change hearts and minds by integrating citizen science components that engage citizens, empower younger and older generations to take action to resolve the issue of river and lake pollution.
The Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the areas most polluted by plastic. The waste that cannot be collected or properly managed eventually leaks into the environment and is carried to the seas by rivers. 80% of marine litter comes from land-based sources. On average, 626 million ‘floating items’ are discharged into European seas every year.
Plastic pollution is causing severe environmental damage. The abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear entangles marine wildlife and at the same time, exposure to microplastics and chemicals found in plastics can lead to serious human health issues. To reverse this trend, actions are required at a societal level. Amongst these, we remind: altering consumer habits, developing new methods to decrease plastic manufacturing, and boosting recycling rates.
CS is a collaborative effort where members of the general public voluntarily contribute to scientific research. This co-creation toolkit enable any interested stakeholders to organise a session and afterward, a campaign that will change people’s Hearts and Minds in terms of water stewardship.
Excessive seaweed accumulation on European beaches is a growing concern due to its environmental, health, and economic impact. The decomposing seaweed releases hydrogen sulphide gas, which is potentially lethal to fish and can cause eye irritation and respiratory problems in humans.
Portuguese beaches, particularly in the Algarve region, are grappling with an influx of seaweed and litter, which poses environmental and aesthetic challenges.
Addressing the root causes of excessive seaweed accumulation requires comprehensive approaches, including the minimization of fertilizers’ use in cropping through sustainable agricultural practices, the use of nature-based solutions for urban wastewater treatment, and international cooperation against pollution at a watershed level.
CS can help address different problems and involve various tasks such as data collection, analysis, and reporting, often in collaboration with professional scientists. This co-creation toolkit enable any interested stakeholders to organise a session and afterward, a campaign that will change people’s Hearts and Minds in terms of clean beaches.
