Check out this selection of eight simulations that show us pathways to addressing climate change at different scales.
In a world of interacting parts, where one things lead to another, which leads back to the other and off to another, simulations can help us understand the pathways that will address the challenges we face. These tools below complement the simulations we have created at Climate Interactive to see what works in addressing climate change. Thanks to our colleague at MIT’s Climate CoLab, Rob Laubacher, who pulled together this collection. Last year we covered some of these simulations in our popular review of games focused on climate change.
World models
- Living Earth Simulator – An ambitious European project that is starting up, which aims to simulate our global social systems. http://www.futurict.eu/the-project/proposal
- Fate of the World – A computer game based on the work of Myles Allen at Oxford. The game’s goal is to prevent global warming through actions like bans on certain fuel types or investment in new technologies. http://fateoftheworld.net/
Country models
- UK Dept of Energy and Climate Change model. A game to try to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions 20% below 1990 levels by 2050. http://my2050.decc.gov.uk
- Guardian UK national carbon calculator. An interactive tool to explore how the UK can reduce carbon emissions. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2010/apr/21/national-carbon-calculator
Personal carbon calculators
- Lawrence Berkeley Home Energy saver. http://homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/consumer/
- EPA Household Carbon Footprint Calculator. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/ind-calculator.html
- Wattzon – A startup company that provides personal energy and carbon footprint calculators to improve home energy efficiency. http://www.wattzon.com/
Corporate
- SAP Sustainability Dashboard – This tool is used internally to assess SAP sustainability efforts and is also provided to their clients. http://www.sapsustainabilityreport.com/our-progress