Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS)

Modeling and Observing Climate Change

A Short Introduction to Climate Models – CMIP & CMIP6

New Climate Model Simulations Project Global Warming At Rates Unprecedented For At Least the Past 1,000 Years by 2020

Watch carbon dioxide move through Earth’s atmosphere. With this high resolution model, scientists can see CO2 rising from sources like power plants, fires, and cities and watch how that carbon dioxide spreads via wind patterns and atmospheric circulation. Why does the map look like it’s pulsing? That’s the day-night cycle. ☀️🌖 Fires flare up daily and die down at night, and plants take up CO2 during the day as they photosynthesize and release it at night through respiration. Models like this on

Scientists use computer programs called climate models to understand how our planet is changing. Climate models are simulations, a way for us to understand something that would be difficult to experience in real life. For example, the average person isn’t allowed to drive a race car. However, simulations—like video games—can help you experience what it would be like to zoom around a racetrack. More climate model basics: https://climatekids.nasa.gov/climate-model/ The visualization below uses cli