Environmental Change Model

• This interactive climate map combines NCAR and NASA climate models to provide detailed information about historic and future shifts in global and regional temperature, ice mass, biomes, and precipitation.
• Students can select their region of interest, environmental condition, and time frame to view on the map, with a detailed description of the information provided below.
  

Positives

• This model is easy to use and provides excellent instructions.
• The colorful maps allow students to visually see how global warming will affect ecosystems and people all over the world.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• The map for the U.S. Northeast provides the best image of Maine for students in that location.
• If you have a slower Internet connection, press the stop button above the map and click through the temperatures slowly.
• The IPCC RCP-8.5 is referring to an emissions scenario and the delta symbol means "change in" for the temperature scale at the top.
  

Differentiation

• Younger students may need to know what types of plants and animals are present in the different biomes.
• Advanced placement or college level students could read the linked scientific journal article about the sensitivity of the model to glacial forcings.
• Biology students could use this tool to estimate the effects of climate change on native plants in their local area and present their findings to the class.
• Social studies or economics students could use this tool to estimate the economic risks associated with letting climate change go unchecked for farmers, businesses, and our global economy.