Climate Action Simulation

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  This may work well as an end-unit exercise for students to take what they have learned about climate and apply it to the real world. Likely takes a fair amount of prep time for instructor to review resources and training materials. There is a comprehensive manual on how to facilitate the game. The En-ROADS user guide includes more information as to how the system works and particular aspects of the models behavior. Lesson indicates it takes 2-4 hrs to play. In a high school classroom, it could take longer. Can be run online and includes an online facilitation manual (and one specifically for Zoom). This is a game but there are additional guided activities that utilize the climate simulator: [https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/guided-assignment/] Can be run as a follow-up to the World Climate Simulation: [https://cleanet.org/resources/43001.html]
• About the Science
  The game is a simulated emergency climate summit of the United Nations that includes global stakeholders as they establish a concrete plan to limit warming based on the Paris Agreement goals. The game itself is not based on science but on the interplay between the global different stakeholders. However, the game utilizes the [link https://serc.carleton.edu/resources/58165.html 'En-ROADS simulator'], which is a scientific model based on peer-reviewed research (see the user guide) to adequately model the climate based off of 18 variables. Learners use the model to see how their decisions impact the climate on a "real-time" basis. Comments from expert scientist: This is a great way to demonstrate the challenges of climate negotiations. There are some small areas where En-ROADs is slightly out of date (e.g. population and coal), and the assumptions are a bit opaque, but the resource is very user friendly and overall pretty good. I'd recommend this resource, even despite minor quibbles about assumptions.
• About the Pedagogy
  Groups complete a plan to reduce global warming trends based on the use of the simulator. It engages learners with learning about climate, solutions, and actions they can take. They are asked to work together to reach the goal of minimizing global warming such that it is less than 2ÂC. Uses open ended cause and effect, decision making, critical thinking, data analysis skills, role-playing/perspective-taking. Learners also form speeches and practice their public speaking skills. Prior knowledge on climate change science, energy, and the types of policies that can affect climate are needed to get the most out of the game.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  A multitude of resources are provided, including a detailed lesson-plan, training videos and workshops, resources for facilitating on-line, suggestions for homework assignments and for modifications to the simulation. Instructors may also request a volunteer ambassador to visit their classroom to help facilitate the simulation, or to have a virtual workshop for their class. Lesson encourages two facilitators to run the simulation. Preparing to facilitate the simulation, reviewing the training resources & curriculum, and learning how to use the En-ROADS simulator will likely take a fair amount of time. Materials required: Computer, projector, resources for students to create and present their policy recommendations. The game will require extensive background information on climate change, the variables that affect those changes, and the policies that could/would affect those variables. Resources offered in multiple languages.