Improving understanding of climate change dynamics using interactive simulations

Global climate change is one of the most complex problems that human kind will face during the 21st century. Long delays in changing greenhouse gas emissions and in the response of the climate to anthropogenic forcing mean action to limit the risks of "dangerous interference with the climate system" must begin now, before further impacts of climate change are observed. However, research shows even well educated adults do not understand the time delays and other basic stock and flow dynamics of the climate, resulting in widespread belief that action to limit emissions can be delayed. Poor intuitive understanding of the dynamic structure of climate change has important consequences for building public support for mitigation policies. We introduce an interactive simulation designed to improve people's understanding of climate change dynamics and influence their attitude towards mitigation action. We report results of an experiment using the simulator in an interactive workshop with highly educated adults. Results show a positive shift in participant opinion about the urgency of emissions reductions and improved performance on tasks involving stocks and flows in the context of climate change.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Technology and Policy Program.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Martin Aguirre, Juan Francisco

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• John D. Sterman.

• Technology and Policy Program.
• Engineering Systems Division.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/43742

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/43742