The launch version of the Climate Collaboratorium uses a single climate model, C-LEARN. C-LEARN is a Web-based version of C-ROADS, a simulation of Sustainability Institute and Ventana Systems that is part of the Climate Interactive effort.
In the Collaboratorium, C-LEARN is the primary climate model. It takes emission and land use targets as inputs and provides outputs such as atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and increase in global mean temperature (GMT).
Overview
Name C-LEARN
Brief description C-LEARN is a simplified, Web-accessible version of the Climate Rapid Overview and Decision Support Simulator (CROADS), which is designed for use by policy makers to enable real time assessment of proposals under consideration as a part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process.
Model developer(s) Tom Fiddaman, Lori S. Siegel, Elizabeth Sawin, Andrew P. Jones, John Sterman
Institutional affiliation of developer(s) Sustainability Institute, Ventana Systems, and System Dynamics Group, MIT Sloan School of Management
Date created 2008
Date of most recent revision 2009
Model accessibility C-LEARN is available on the Web at http://forio.com/simulation/climate-development/index.htm. C-ROADS can be run on a personal computer using VenSim, a simulation application developed by Ventana Systems. At present the C-ROADS model is used solely in workshops and events moderated by members of the Climate Interactive team.
Documentation Tom Fiddaman, Lori S. Siegel, Elizabeth Sawin, Andrew P. Jones, and John Sterman. C-ROADS Simulator Reference Guide. January, 2009.
Key publications Robert Watson, Eric Beinhocker, Bert de Vries, Klaus Hasselmann, David Lane, Jorgen Randers, Stephen Schneider. Summary Statement from the C‐ROADS Scientific Review Panel. February 2009 (see here for a brief description of the scientific review process and its findings).
Elizabeth R. Sawin, Andrew P. Jones, Tom Fiddaman, Lori S. Siegel, Diana Wright, Travis Franck, Andreas Barkman, Tom Cummings, Felicitas von Peter, Jacqueline McGlade, Robert W. Corell, and John Sterman. Current Emissions Reductions Proposals in the Lead-Up to COP-15 are Likely to be Insufficient to Stabilize Atmospheric CO2 Levels: Using C-ROADS—A Simple Computer Simulation of Climate Change—To Support Long-Term Climate Policy. Climate Change—Global Risks, Challenges, and Decisions Conference, University of Copenhagen. March 2009.
Model attributes
Model type For example, General circulation model (GCM) or Integrated assessment model (IAM) or other (followed by acronym)
Geographic scope Extent of geographic coverage
Geographic resolution Level of geographic disaggregation
Start date Earliest date when model runs can begin
End date Latest date when model runs can end
Time step Number of years between discrete
Approach for addressing risk/uncertainty Brief phrase describing how model deals with risk/uncertainty e.g. stochastic modeling approach, estimations of uncertainty based on variances in input values for discrete variables etc.
Key modules and linkages between them
Note: Include only if multiple modules, and if so, include next major header, “Variables and key assumptions,” for each
Model diagram Insert model diagram if one is available
Note: Format image file as: !imagefile.gif/jpg!
Variables and key assumptions
Input variables
Key assumptions Explain in words and include equations if available
Output variables
Note: As noted above, if there are multiple modules, include section like this for each, with module name at start of header, followed by a colon.
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