Project Description
Team Name
Hacks and Whys
Team Members
Alyssa Libed, Joyanne Coca, Manjot Kaur, Manuel Martinez, Nannisa Pattaranansit, Pricila Yessayan (Team Leader)
Challenge Addressed
Moreton Bay Greening as We Grow (QLD)
Project Description: KooraGO App: Greening Moreton Bay
Problem Statement
With increasing environmental pressures such as urbanisation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity, communities in Moreton Bay face challenges in preserving local ecosystems and mitigating the impacts of floods and extreme weather. There is a need for a community-driven app that promotes environmental stewardship while increasing awareness of climate risks.
Project Description
KooraGO! Apps a mobile application designed to address the environmental challenges in Moreton Bay while fostering citizens taking part in eco-friendly activities. The app combines real-time biodiversity monitoring, flood and weather alerts, and opportunities for users to explore, clean, and restore public spaces while earning rewards. By using community participation and real-time data, KooraGO! App aims to create a holistic platform for environmental protection and public safety.
Our Mission
To empower communities to actively take part in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and urban resilience by providing real-time data and engagement tools to watch wildlife, protect against extreme weather, and organise community-driven environmental restoration projects.
Goals
- Promote Environmental Awareness: Increase awareness of local biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts through real-time wildlife tracking and reporting.
- Mitigate Climate Risks: Use flood and weather alerts to improve public readiness and minimize the impact of extreme weather events on local communities.
- Foster Community Action: Provide tools for organising clean-up and restoration events, allowing users to collaborate, invite others, and earn points for positive environmental actions.
Data Story
Act 1: The Challenge and Goals
The app was conceptualised in response to growing environmental challenges, such as loss of local biodiversity, frequent floods, and the urban heat island effect in Moreton Bay. The goal was to create a platform that promotes active community participation in preserving ecosystems while mitigating risks from climate-induced disasters.
Act 2: Data Gathering and Preparation
The app collects data from various sources, including local government datasets, weather stations, and user-submitted information. Biodiversity data comes from the Moreton Bay Data Hub, providing insights into species populations. Weather and flood alerts are integrated through APIs from the Bureau of Meteorology. To map areas requiring clean-up, the app gathers user-submitted reports on environmental degradation in public spaces.
Act 3: Developing the KooraGO App
The KooraGO! App was developed to include the following core features:
- Biodiversity Monitoring: Users report sightings of wildlife, upload photos, and view species information. The app collects this data to check biodiversity trends and find threatened species.
- Flood and Weather Alerts: Real-time weather and flood data provide live notifications, helping users stay informed about potential risks and evacuation routes.
- Explore and Clean: This feature enables users to find areas (parks, beaches, etc.) that need cleaning or restoration. Users can invite friends and earn points by taking photos of wildlife or environmental restoration efforts.
Act 4: Index Visualization and Insights
KooraGO! App visualises real-time data on interactive maps, providing users with instant insights on wildlife sightings, flood zones, and areas that need community attention. Users can track their contributions to environmental preservation by earning points and unlocking rewards for positive actions. The gamification approach encourages ongoing engagement and awareness.
Act 5: Strategic Deployment
KooraGO! App will be rolled out in phases, starting with a beta test among local environmental groups and schools. Following feedback, we will launch it to the public in Moreton Bay, with an expansion plan for other regions. Long-term, we aim to integrate more datasets, refine user experience, and develop partnerships with government agencies and conservation organizations.
Fostering Engagement and Promoting Sustainability
KooraGO! App uses a dynamic points reward system to incentivise and reward user participation. This system aims to boost user engagement while promoting sustainable practices, fostering environmental responsibility, and encouraging circular economy initiatives.
Act 1: How Users Earn Points
KooraGO! App encourages users to take an active role in environmental conservation and community participation by offering points for a range of activities.
- Participating in Cleaning Activities: Users can join or organise local clean-up events, earning points based on their participation and the number of people they invite. The larger and more impactful the event, the more points users accumulate.
- Reporting Wildlife and Environmental Hazards: Users can earn points by taking photos of local wildlife, including endangered species, and reporting these sightings through the app. Additionally, users can report potential environmental hazards, such as illegal dumping or areas with high pollution, which helps local authorities act faster.
- Creating and Promoting Events: Users who start clean-up events, educational programs, or awareness campaigns through the app will earn points not only for creating the event but also for engaging other participants. Bonus points are awarded for events that lead to high community turnout and participation.
- Planting Trees: Users earn extra points for organising tree planting activities, with the app recognising confirmed tree-planting locations.
- Attending Workshops: Participation in eco-friendly workshops or environmental education sessions organised by partners can also earn points.
- Regular Participation: Users are encouraged to stay consistent with their involvement through a streak system, rewarding consecutive days or weeks of action.
Act 2: Exchange Points for Eco-Friendly Products (Promoting Circular Economy)
The points accumulated by users can be exchanged for eco-friendly products that support the circular economy. Examples of exchangeable items include.
- Reusable Products: Points can be redeemed for reusable items like eco-friendly water bottles, bamboo cutlery, or cloth shopping bags, reducing single-use plastic consumption.
- Composting Kits: Users can exchange points for small-scale composting kits, promoting waste reduction at home.
- Second-hand Goods: Thrift and second-hand shops offer discounts on electronics or other electrical home goods, or they can swap points for clothing.
- Sustainable Gardening Tools: Rewards such as seeds, planters, or tools for home gardening can help users grow their food, contributing to sustainable living.
Act 3: Use Engagement to Reduce Tax Payments
KooraGO! App provides a unique incentive where users' engagement in environmental initiatives can lead to tangible financial rewards, such as reductions in local tax payments. Points accumulated through sustained participation in biodiversity monitoring, reporting environmental hazards, and organizing clean-up events can be redeemed for tax benefits, including:
- Property Tax Credits: Local governments can offer credits toward property taxes based on the user's contributions to community environmental efforts.
- Discounted Public Utility Bills: Users who consistently contribute to eco-friendly activities could receive deductions on water or waste disposal bills.
Act 4: Exchange Prizes with Partners and Organisations
KooraGO! App will partner with local businesses and organisations to offer a variety of rewards that further support environmental sustainability and promote healthy living.
- Organic Food and Beverages: Users can exchange points for organic groceries, fresh produce, or meal vouchers from local farms and eco-conscious restaurants serving with environmentally friendly cluttery.
- Green Technology and Solutions: Points can be redeemed for environmentally friendly tech solutions, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, solar-powered chargers, or electric bike rentals.
- Health and Wellness Products: Partners can offer eco-friendly wellness products like biodegradable yoga mats, eco-conscious skin care products, or even vouchers for spa treatments focused on sustainability.
Datasets Used
