Personal tools

Our Simulations

null

 

Climate Interactive creates interactive, easy-to-use, and scientifically rigorous tools that help people understand how to address the complex, interconnected challenges that affect our lives on Earth. Based on a long tradition of system dynamics modeling that explores the interplay between the human economy and the Earth’s systems, our simulations help people see connections, play out scenarios, and see what works to address the biggest challenges we face.

Our simulations cover a range of topics, from climate change to clean energy to disaster risk reduction and resilience. Some of our tools are designed for policy makers, others for teachers and citizens; all are created out of a common set of principles:

Transparent, open. Equations, assumptions, parameters, and data are accessible and shared.

Created by a collaborative process. In creating new simulations, we tap the expertise and the previous analytical work of people living and working within the system we are modeling.

Complementary, non-competitive. The simulations we create tend to complement, not replace, other analysis. In some cases, more disaggregated models exist that run on super-computers, which address similar issues. Our simulations are scaled to run on personal computers or, in some cases, mobile devices for accessibility and widespread use.

Thinking-, learning- and action-oriented. Our simulations are designed to support conversations in groups of people who wish to test their assumptions, create customized scenarios, and share their insights with others.

To learn more about a specific simulation click on the links below:

en-roads

En-ROADS

A powerful global energy simulation. En-ROADS simulator provides insight into how we can achieve our climate goals through changes in our energy use, consumption, and policies. Includes global population, GDP, energy efficiency, R&D results, carbon price, fuel mix, and other factors.

C-ROADS Screenshot

C-ROADS

The widely-used, high-powered simulation. C-ROADS is a 7-15 region simulator that helps users assess the impact of national and regional climate pledges. 

C-Learn Screenshot v2

C-Learn

Web-based climate simulation for education. C-Learn is the popular, online, 3-region version of C-ROADS. Available for free via a browser.

Climate Momentum v2

Climate Momentum Sim

A flash tool with fast insights. Our Climate Momentum Sim allows users to quickly compare the resulting sea level rise, temperature change, atmospheric CO2, and global CO2 emissions from six predetermined scenarios.  

Climate Pathways

Climate Pathways App

The world's smallest climate simulator! Climate Pathways is a fun, free app for the Apple iPad, iPod, or iPhone. With a trace of your finger, draw annual global emissions from now through 2050 to find a pathway to 2 degrees C or less.

World Climate v2

World Climate:  A Computer-Simulation-Based Role-Playing Exercise

A powerful simulation-based role-playing experience. World Climate is an interactive policy exercise where groups of 10-50 play UN delegates from major parts of the world who address climate change.

Climate Scoreboard

Climate Scoreboard

The state of global action. The Climate Scoreboard calculates the long-term global temperature rise if all the current national proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were implemented. 

Bathtub v2

Climate Bathtub Animation

A quick sim. This animated simulation of the global carbon system is great for helping people explore the relationship between carbon emissions and atmospheric CO2. 

 

CO2 Timeline

 

CO2 Timeline is a tool to compare how long CO2 lasts in the atmosphere relative to milestones in people's lives.

World Energy

A new role-playing exercise from Climate Interactive where participants act as energy policy consultants and come up with proposals for pathways to an equitable low-carbon future.
Greenhouse v2

MIT's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Simulator

Dr. John Sterman led the creation of this more advanced animated simulator that, like the one above, uses the bathtub metaphor but explores more factors and more complexity.

Document Actions