*2.2. Citizen Science*

Citizen science refers to public participation in data collection and knowledge dissemination for research [11,13,42]. Traditionally, citizen science research is conducted voluntarily (i.e., unpaid), and scientists lead projects with input from citizens. This approach enables citizens to contribute or collaborate on all aspects of the research process and promotes open participation which enables citizens to be active collaborators on research projects [11,15,17]. With the expansion of smartphone ownership, information is increasingly being shared through digital and social media. Citizen science has great potential to contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, as citizens can report on and respond to the effects of climate change in real time with the help of digital tools. A current deficit of this approach, however, has been the lack of representation of Indigenous, racialized and low-income groups [15,43,44]—many of whom experience the adverse effects of climate change most frequently and severely [2,28]. The individualistic approach of citizen science limits its application for community-driven initiatives if not adapted using a decolonized and Two-Eyed Seeing approach, whereby citizens are viewed as members of a larger community for project participation.
