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Short Abstract

Thermo-staat is a bottom-up project to address indoor heat stress. We experimented with equal collaborations between citizens and journalism. By combining local knowledge, low-cost sensing, and policy dialogue, it increased awareness & shaped more inclusive strategies for climate adaptation.

Abstract

Many Dutch rental homes heat up considerably during the summer, leading to physical and mental complaints known as heat stress. These risks are often overlooked in conventional climate services, which focus on outdoor forecasts rather than indoor living conditions.

Thermo-staat is a bottom-up initiative that reimagines climate services by centring the experiences of residents, many living in social and other rented housing disproportionately affected by heat stress. In this project, residents joined forces with scientists from TU Delft, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, investigative journalists from VPRO Argos, and experts from Waag Futurelab to examine the health and environmental impacts of indoor overheating.

A hallmark of the project is its innovative, equal collaboration between the public and journalism. Journalists partially opened their investigative process, enabling residents to engage directly with research questions, identify knowledge gaps, and shape the narrative. Citizen scientists were supported in mapping indoor temperatures and humidity using low-cost sensors and contributed experiential data through a shared digital platform. This continuous interaction allowed residents to clarify findings, guide journalistic inquiries, and link data to their daily realities.

The project demonstrates how local knowledge and co-produced data can reveal inequities in vulnerability and influence adaptation strategies. By bridging lived experience, investigative reporting, and scientific research, Thermo-staat functioned as a citizen-driven climate service, empowering residents to engage with housing associations and municipalities.

This case highlights the transformative potential of co-producing climate services with citizen groups, making them more inclusive, demand-driven, and responsive to those most affected by climate change.