Citizen Science: A Quiet Revolution
- Gregory Andrews
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
I'm up early to start cycling back to Canberra this morning, but still buzzing after keynoting at the Australian Citizen Science Association's annual conference #CitSciOz25 in Naarm Melbourne yesterday.
It was an honour to share the stage with Professor Brendan Wintle from the Univeristy of Melbourne and Dr Amanda Caples, Victoria’s Chief Scientist, and to share why citizen science matters now more than ever.
Citizen scientists are helping to reverse three great unravellings - accelerating loss of biodiversity, destabilisation of our climate, and the erosion of truth and liberal democracy.
Citizen science isn’t just about data - it’s about connectiing people with nature and with each another. It builds trust in evidence, strengthens social cohesion, and creates alliances that cross political, cultural and generational divides. It reminds us that we all have a role - and that collaboration is our greatest tool for resilience.
In a time of division, disinformation and ecological grief, citizen science is a powerful form of Active Hope. It's practical, grounded, and contagious. It gives people something to do, and in doing so, it heals both people and planet.
I closed with Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution” because that’s exactly what citizen science is: a quiet, collective revolution of everyday Aussies, Aboriginal knowledge holders and scientists working as one for a fairer, greener, more sustainable future.
Special thanks to everyone who came, listened and shared their reflections with me afterwards. You reminded me that hope isn’t passive - it’s something we build, together.
If you haven't already, subscribe to the Citizen Science Show Podcast and keep an eye out for an episode I did with them.
I’m on the back roads now. Peddling back to Canberra.
Last night I listened online for 3 hours as top climate scientists explained that the concept of a low emissions economy by 2050 is dangerously out of date. We cannot delay action, as the world has already reached a tipping point for melting of the polar ice: massive amounts of previously stored water now in the atmosphere are causing extreme storms and floods, and weather pattern changes that fuel droughts and extreme heat that kills people, animals and crops. We need a new economy not based on extraction but on looking after all of humanity and all of Nature.
Great of you to cycle to Naarm and back, Gregory. I have a question - isn't "citizen science" an understood part of First Nations' philosophy/part of life? Thank goodness there are many groups now in Australia where First Nations Peoples and "Western"?? scientists are working together to try to heal Country. I am not sure if I have expressed myself clearly.