Models/Simulators

An interactive simulation to explore the role of different greenhouse gases in causing the greenhouse effect. This PhET simulation titled, ‘The Greenhouse Effect’ by University of Colorado, Boulder, helps to visualize the greenhouse effect of

Model/Simulator: Modeling Planetary Energy Balance

A model/simulator to learn about vertical energy (heat) transfer in the Earth’s system and planetary energy balance. Students will vary parameters such as the solar constant and the planetary albedo to observe the corresponding effects

Visualization: Melting Ice Sheets and Sea Level Rise

An interactive visualization to explore the effects of melting ice sheets and the resulting sea level rise on coastal areas. Students will configure parameters related to glacial melt in Antarctica and/or Greenland, and will observe

Laboratory Activity: Modeling the Earth’s Zonal Energy Balance

A laboratory activity to create an energy balance model for planet Earth and obtain numerical solutions for the differential equations in the model. Students will write code (using MATLAB or Mathematica) to model the distribution

Model/Simulator: Modeling Earth’s Carbon

A model/simulator to learn about the carbon cycle and carbon dioxide projections based on the observed CO2 concentrations from Land, Ocean and Atmospheric reservoirs. The model includes four RCP scenarios based of fossil fuel emissions:

Model/Simulator: Milankovitch Orbital Parameters

A model/simulator to learn about changes in Earth’s climate caused by variations in the solar energy received by the planet over geological time scales and to understand the role of the orbital parameters (obliquity, precession,

Model/Simulator: Climate Change, the Economy, and Society

A model/simulator to understand the relationships between climate change, economics, and social factors. Students will customize parameters related to policy (such as emissions-related tax or treaty), climate (such as levels of climate sensitivity and harm),

Model/Simulator: The Economics of Oil

A model/simulator to understand the prediction of peak global oil production, and to learn about oil as an energy source, its peak and reserves, and the economics and geopolitics of oil. Students will customize parameters

Model/Simulator: Daisyworld—A Model to Explore the Gaia Hypothesis

A model/simulator to explore the Gaia hypothesis and the concepts of albedo and hysteresis through the example of daisies (living organisms) and their interaction with temperature (climatic factor). Students will configure the distribution of black

Model/Simulator: Predicting Future Carbon Emissions

A model/simulator to learn about and use the Kaya Identity to predict future carbon emissions. Students will customize parameters such as changes in population, GDP per capita, energy intensity, and carbon intensity of energy sources

Model/Simulator: The Geologic Carbon Cycle and Earth’s Climate

A model/simulator to learn about the geologic carbon cycle and its role in stabilizing the Earth’s climate. Students will run the model after configuring parameters such as the CO2 degassing rate, the existence of land

Visualization, Model/Simulator, Game: Build Planet Earth

A visualization/model/game to build your own version of planet Earth and learn about the Earth’s climate system and the factors that influence it by configuring various parameters and observing their effect on climate. Students will

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