JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Despite having the tools at our disposal to enable an adequate food supply for all, inequities in food acquisition, distribution, and most importantly, food sovereignty, worsen food insecurity. Moreover, the detrimental impact of climate change on food systems is further exacerbated by lack of food sovereignty. We urgently require innovative solutions to enable food sovereignty and minimize food insecurity. Indigenous communities have a wealth of Traditional Knowledge for climate change adaptation and preparedness to strengthen food systems. Traditional Knowledge combined with Western methods can revolutionize ethical data collection, engagement, and knowledge mobilization.

Objective:

The Food Equity and Environmental Data Sovereignty (FEEDS) project takes a participatory action, citizen science approach for early detection and warning of climate change impacts on food sovereignty and security. The objective of this project is to develop and implement a sustainable digital platform that enables real-time decision-making to mitigate climate change-related impacts on food systems.

Methods:

Citizen science enables citizens to actively contribute to all aspects of the research process, from project planning and data collection, to co-created and self-determined knowledge mobilization. The FEEDS project is being implemented in four phases: i) Participatory project planning, ii) Climate change platform co-development and customization; iii) Community-led evaluation; iv) Refinement of innovative data analytics and community engagement, and v) Knowledge mobilization and exchange. The project is governed by a Citizen Scientist Advisory Council comprising Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, key community decision-makers, youth, and FEEDS researchers. The Council governs all phases of the project, including co-conceptualizing a climate change platform, which consists of a smartphone application (app) and a digital decision-making dashboard. Apart from capturing environmental and health-related big data (e.g., weather, permafrost degradation, fire hazards, human movement, etc.), the custom-built app uses artificial intelligence to engage and enable citizens to report on environmental hazards, changes in biodiversity or wildlife, and related food issues in their communities. The app provides citizens with valuable information to mitigate health-related risks, and relays big data in real-time to a digital dashboard.

Results:

This project is currently in Phase 1 with the sub-arctic Métis jurisdiction of Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Conclusions:

The FEEDS project facilitates Indigenous self-determination, governance, and data sovereignty. All citizen data are anonymous and encrypted, and communities have ownership, access, control and possession over their data. The digital dashboard system provides decision-makers with real-time data, thereby increasing capacity to self-govern. The participatory action research approach, combined with digital citizen science, advances co-creation of knowledge and multidisciplinary collaboration in the digital age. Given the urgency of climate change, leveraging technology provides communities with the tools to respond to existing and emerging crises in a timely manner, as well as scientific evidence regarding the urgency of current health and environmental issues. Clinical Trial: Not applicable.