The Global Carbon Budget 1960 - 2100

This simulation allows the user to project CO2 sources and sinks by adjusting the points on a graph and then running the simulation to see projections for the impact on atmospheric CO2 and global temperatures.

Go To:

https://galenmckinley.github.io/CarbonCycle/applet/

Galen McKinley

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Notes From Our Reviewers

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Teaching Tips

Direct students to watch each projection at least twice: Once while focusing on the graph being produced, and then again to watch changes in the graphic at the bottom of the page.

About the Science

An interactive way to look at the global carbon cycle and its relationship with global warming.

The estimated global temperature response is a rough scaling based upon average IPCC AR4 (2007) model sensitivity to atmospheric CO2.

Students can adjust CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and land use (sources) and uptake from oceans and land (sinks).

Comments from expert scientist: A one-of-a-kind resource that I use frequently in graduate and undergrad teaching, teacher training, and K-gray outreach. An essential tool for teaching climate science, climate policy, scenario development and integrated assessment.

About the Pedagogy

Excellent graphic that shows changes in the carbon cycle given different scenarios of fossil fuel use in the future.

Students use the interactive as a tool to predict what temperature conditions on Earth will be given different levels of carbon released into the atmosphere.

Shows the complexities of climate change and the usefulness and limitations of modeling.

Technical Details

The teacher may need to explain to students that they must select a button under sources or sinks before they can manipulate the graph on the left.

Good introductory material on home page http://carboncycle.aos.wisc.edu/. Easy to use and analyze the results.