The Rising Role of Smartphones through Citizen Science in “Early Warning for All”

In 2022, the UN Secretary-General announced a new action, "Early Warning for All," to ensure that every person on earth is protected from natural hazards within five years. However, significant challenges exist, as an early warning system is a complex integrated system involving multiple processes. Smartphones may offer a solution to these challenges through citizen science.

Equipped with GPS and a variety of built-in sensors, smartphones can measure battery temperature, ambient air pressure and light intensity, and are therefore expected to be used for meteorological observations. Recent studies have shown that smartphone barometric pressure can describe the intensity and location of large-scale vortices, as well as high and low pressure in mesoscale thunderstorms.

Beyond environmental conditions, smartphones can provide real-time data on natural disasters or public health issues. Citizen science apps allow individuals to quickly report observations and incidents. This crowdsourced data can offer a broader and more detailed picture of events, complementing official monitoring systems and aiding in the creation of accurate maps of affected areas for better response planning. Mobile apps can push alerts and notifications to users in vulnerable areas, providing timely warnings and instructions on how to stay safe during emergencies. Citizen science initiatives using smartphones can raise awareness of hazards and empower communities to take proactive measures in disaster preparedness and response. Leveraging existing smartphone infrastructure is often more cost-effective than deploying specialized monitoring equipment, making early warning systems more accessible and scalable.

Overall, with global smartphone usage reaching 30-70% of the population in various countries, integrating smartphones with citizen science initiatives enhances early warning capabilities, builds community resilience, and improves disaster management outcomes.