We're looking for 100 enthusiastic people to become citizen scientists and join world renowned universities RMIT and UNSW, in their research of urban heat and local climate change to help better understand how we can reduce extreme heat and adapt. 

We're joining five other Victorian councils to recruit enthusiastic residents who want to contribute to this important study that will impact Australia. Researchers will work with 12, 200 local community members through a total of 22 councils from various states representing different geographical locations. The locations are selected based on factors such as density, population, physical features and overheating problems. 

Participants will need to be available to attend and participate in various experiments for two-hours on a selected afternoon this summer between December 2018 and February 2019. Using measurement sensors, you will be taught how to measure the microclimate in Yarra.

You must be able to attend one of the following sessions: 

• Wednesday 30 January at  Mark Street Hall, North Fitzroy from 1pm to 3pm.
• Thursday 31 January at the Fitzroy Learning Network, Fitzroy from 1pm to 3pm
• Friday 1 February at Burnley Backyard, Burnley from 1pm to 3pm. 

Afternoon tea will be provided

The number of extreme hot days is predicted to increase significantly over the next few decades in all Australian cities. Urban heat creates real problems for cities and for the people who live and work in them. They make life uncomfortable and have impacts on public health, mortality rates, energy demand and the economy by increasing the energy use and air conditioning costs needed to keep our buildings cool inside, exaggerate airborne pollution by preventing pollution dispersing, and by intensifying global warming.  

The results from this study will provide data required for communities to understand, reduce and adapt to extreme heat in the future. 

Participation in this experiment will give you the knowledge to respond efficiently to extreme heat by understanding how design features, greenery and materials affect the local climate.

To get involved in this groundbreaking environmental project, you need to register your interest. 

For more information on the Citizen Science Project, visit the project website.