| This model/simulator shows the greenhouse effect of the Earth’s atmosphere and planetary energy balance of incoming solar radiation and outgoing radiation from the planet. Students/learners are presented with a model Earth having two atmospheric layers and they of can manipulate “the absorptivity/emissivity of each atmospheric layer, the amount of convective heat flux transferred at each level, the intensity of solar radiation, and the albedo of the planet and determine the resulting temperature of the surface and each layer of the atmosphere as well as the magnitude of each heat transfer.” |
Milankovitch Orbital Data Viewer
| This model/simulator shows the relationship between changes in Earth’s climate due to variations in the solar energy received by the planet over geological time scales. It shows that over long timescales ice age cycles (Milankovitch cycles) have occurred on earth due to changes in the orbital parameters (obliquity, precession, and eccentricity). |
Daisyworld Model [Netlogo]
| “This model explores the “Gaia hypothesis”, which considers the Earth as a single, self-regulating system including both living and non-living parts. In particular, this model explores how living organisms both alter and are altered by climate, which is non-living. The example organisms are daisies and the climatic factor considered is temperature.” |
webDICE (Dynamic Integrated Climate Economy) Model
| This model/simulator (based on the DICE 2010 model (Nordhaus, Yale University)) helps students to understand the relationships between climate change, economics, and social factors. Users can configure policy, climate, and economic parameters to observe the effects. |
Hubbert’s Peak Plotter
| This model/simulator predicts peak global oil production and allows an educator to introduce discussions on topics such as oil as an energy source, its peak and reserves, and the economics and geopolitics of oil. |
Kaya Identity Scenario Prognosticator
| In this model/simulator, a learner can project future carbon emissions based on changes in the global population, economic activity, energy intensity and energy sources. |
GEOCARB Geologic Carbon Cycle
This model allows students to learn about the geologic carbon cycle by changing the CO2 degassing rate and by altering the weathering rate.
Build Your Own Earth
This interactive visualization allows learners to build their own Earth, and to configure various parameters and factors affecting the climate. The factors include the tilt of the Earth’s axis, the eccentricity of the Earth’s orbit, the solar constant, the distribution of the continents and oceans, and the carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere.
MODTRAN Infrared Light in the Atmosphere
This model demonstrates the effect of greenhouse gases on outgoing energy flux and compares various greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor with respect to the absorption of infrared radiation.
CSF Water Deficit Calculator
This calculator provides current and forecasted soil water deficit at a specific location. It uses historical climate data, forecasted rainfall and evapotranspiration data, and location-specific data to for this prediction.
