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In this lab project, you will work with the En-ROADS simulation model developed by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative to create a scenario that can mitigate global warmingLinks to an external site. to the internationally agreed target of less than 2 °C, and ideally 1.5 °C. En-ROADS is an interactive tool for simulating the long-term impacts of policy actions on global warming. This includes policies affecting energy supply, energy efficiency, carbon emissions prices, land use, and other factors that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since En-ROADS is a global model, the policy levers simulate if the action were applied to the entire world. En-ROADS does not attempt to address the complex nuances of how different countries and political groups might respond to each policy.
En-ROADS is grounded in the best-available science about climate impacts; solutions; and the complex interactions of the climate, energy, land, population, and economic systems. As you are completing the En-ROADS simulation model, and work toward your mission of recommending global policies and investments, keep the following goals in mind:
Limit global warming. Global warming above 2 °C will cause dangerous and irreversible impacts that will harm our prosperity, security, health, and lives. Limiting warming to less than 2 °C is not without challenges either (we are already seeing impacts today); however, it is a benchmark by which scientists and world leaders believe we can lower the risks to a more manageable level.
Preserve and create a healthy economy. Your policies should strive to lead a global energy transition that would preserve and create a healthy global economy. You must decide how to balance the short-term costs of climate actions with the long-term costs of damages from climate inaction. Note that financial costs are not explicitly predicted in the model as they are uncertain and controversial. You may offer your own hypotheses on the financial impacts of different decisions.
While assessing the economics, also consider the potential to offset short-term costs with additional cobenefits, for example, benefits to the economy, public health, national security, and other areas which could augment the direct benefits of mitigating global warming.
Promote equity and a just transition. Consider the impacts of your policies for both developed and developing countries, and between the rich and poor people within such nations. Consider whether your policies will disproportionately harm certain groups and how to mitigate such harms (e.g., If you favor policies that would reduce or shut down fossil fuel use, how will your policies address the resulting unemployment of people employed by the fossil fuel industry?). Also consider how opportunities for the new green economy can be shared more equitably and not leave marginalized groups behind.
Protect the environment. Many environmental challenges besides climate change threaten human welfare—for example, water shortage, air and water pollution (smogLinks to an external site., particulatesLinks to an external site.), soil loss, plastic pollution, anoxic zones (dead zones)Links to an external site. in rivers and oceans, extinction of species, and so on. Your proposals should minimize these other harmful effects on the environment.
Be realistic but not cynical. Imagine a scenario of what could be possible if human civilization operates at its best.
Select each section below to meet all requirements for this lab.
Get Ready
Section 1: Plan
Section 2: Meeting the Goals
Section 3: Reflections
The Simulating Climate Futures in En-ROADS Laboratory memo write-up,
must be 3 to 5 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft WordLinks to an external site.
must include a separate title page with the following in title case:
title of memo write-up in bold font
Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
student’s name
name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
course name and number
instructor’s name
due date
must utilize academic voice.
Refer to the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site. resource for additional guidance.
must use at least 1 credible source in addition to the course text, for 2 total sources.
The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible SourcesLinks to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source.
To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, review this Quick and Easy Library ResearchLinks to an external site. tutorial, which introduces the University of Arizona Global Campus Library and the research process, and provides some library search tips. tutorial.
must document any information used from sources in APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site..
must include a separate references page formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center.
See the APA: Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. resource in the Writing Center for specifications.
https://en-roads.climateinteractive.org/scenario.html?v=24.6.0
This is the En-ROADS interactive