What is the best way to keep the climate from changing? Transition from fossil fuels as quickly as possible? Go to more plant-based foods and eliminate cattle? Plant more trees? Limit population growth?
Any action we take can have serious repercussions and must be carefully considered. And one of the best ways to evaluate an option is through simulation. With regard to climate, such a simulation has been developed, and you can try it for yourself.
Simply go to the Climate Interactive website and their “Climate Change Solutions Simulator” page and click on “The EN-Roads Simulator” on the right side of the page (https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/en-roads/). The simulation lets you tinker with variables in six categories: Energy Supply, Transport, Land and Industry Emissions, Buildings and Industry, Carbon Renewal, and Growth. It can be used in nine languages and the scenario you develop can be shared on social media.
The simulation is currently in its Beta test phase, and was developed by Climate Interactive, Ventana Systems, and MIT Sloan. (Climate Interactive is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank that grew out of MIT Sloan in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.) Recommended uses include role-playing or in policy workshops. Training is available.
So if you want to try your hand at climate policy, here is your chance! It should give a deeper appreciation of some of the decisions we’re facing.