Use a computational model to forecast the impacts of climate change on Earth systems (HS-ESS3-5, HS-ESS3-6) and evaluate technological solutions designed to reduce human impact (HS-ESS3-4).
Adjust the baseline trajectory of human emissions before technological mitigation.
Select solutions to reduce net impacts. Compare your mitigated forecast (solid lines) against the "Business as Usual" baseline (dashed lines).
The primary driver of the system. (ppm)
Increase relative to pre-industrial levels. (°C)
Surface ocean pH. Lower is more acidic.
Percent of current volume remaining.
Global climate change refers to the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. These unexpected weather patterns can make it difficult to maintain and grow crops in regions that rely on farming because expected temperature and rainfall levels can no longer be relied on.
The Earth's climate is influenced by various factors, including the amount of incoming solar radiation, the composition of the atmosphere, and the surface properties of the planet. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature. They trap heat in the atmosphere, creating a "greenhouse effect" that keeps the planet warm enough to support life.
However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect is causing the Earth's average temperature to rise, a phenomenon known as global warming. The impacts of global climate change are widespread and multifaceted, affecting natural ecosystems, human societies, and the global economy.
One of the most noticeable impacts of climate change is the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to a rise in global sea levels. This rise in sea level poses a significant threat to coastal communities, as it increases the risk of flooding and erosion. Additionally, the warming oceans are causing coral bleaching, leading to the decline of coral reefs, which are vital marine ecosystems that support a diverse array of marine life.
Climate change is also causing more frequent and severe weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves. These extreme weather events can cause widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human health. Furthermore, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns are disrupting natural ecosystems, forcing many species to migrate to new areas or face extinction.
To mitigate the impacts of global climate change, it is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources. This simulation allows you to explore the potential impacts of climate change and evaluate the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies, such as the transition to renewable energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and solar geoengineering.