Observe nature. Help science.
ClimateWatch was developed by Earthwatch with the Bureau of Meteorology and The University of Melbourne to understand how changes in temperature and rainfall are affecting the seasonal behaviour of Australia's plants and animals. The first continental phenology project in the Southern Hemisphere, ClimateWatch enables every Australian to be involved in collecting and recording data that will help shape the country’s scientific response to climate change.
Observations
Getting Started
Get the free app through Google Play for Android or the Apple App Store, or register online, by clicking "Open Map" below
Sign up and create an account with your email address.
Start observing and recording, or explore our ClimateWatch trails
Stay connected to the ClimateWatch website and our social media to keep up-to-date with news and added species!
What is Phenology
Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate. Examples include bird nesting, insect hatching, plant flowering and fruit ripening. Many studies have already provided insight into the relationship between climate variables, such as temperature and rainfall, to the timing of these phenophases. Monitoring phenology is important as changes can impact entire biological communities, our food sources and our health. Unfortunately few significant datasets have been collected and researched in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.
Blog
How to be a good ClimateWatcher
There are a number of things that we look for when checking your observations. Here are a few tips on how to be a good ClimateWatcher.
Special Report - Global Warming of 1.5 ºC
In 2018 the IPCC released its 1.5°C Special Report which reinforced the huge risks of global warming above 1.5°C, leading to widespread calls for greater climate action.
Contribute to climate change research from your home during COVID-19 lockdown
Being cooped up inside, either self-isolating or working from home, can make many of us feel anxious and stir-crazy. Research shows how good nature is for our mental health, but it's important to listen to the most current public health guidelines and stay home as much as possible right now. If you are the lucky ones who have some nature close to your homes, we have created a ClimateWatch guideline for physical distancing:
How to Submit a Sighting
test_1Smartphone
First, Download the app and create an account
If you are recording through your app on your phone, click the camera icon to take a clear and close photo of the species. The app will ask you to choose the appropriate species, fill in the required information, and bam! You’ve just contributed to climate change science and it is that easy.
You can click on the different flora and fauna species for an in-depth description and photos to learn more about your sightings. This information is also in greater detail on each of the species pages on the ClimateWatch website. Familiarise yourself with one to two species at first to help build your confidence
Website
Search for the species in either the side search box or the drop down species tag. You can also enter your species via a trail page, if you were on a specific ClimateWatch trail. Once you have identified the correct species, click 'Record Your Sighting' on the left hand side and fill in required information. Don’t forget to upload a clear photo and location of the sighting.