2026-09-20T22:14:03Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/437422022-02-01T14:51:42Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
John D. Sterman.
Martin Aguirre, Juan Francisco
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Technology and Policy Program.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Technology and Policy Program
2008-12-11T16:56:43Z
2008-12-11T16:56:43Z
2008
2008
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/43742
263169453
Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2008.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-69).
Global climate change is one of the most complex problems that human kind will face during the 21st century. Long delays in changing greenhouse gas emissions and in the response of the climate to anthropogenic forcing mean action to limit the risks of "dangerous interference with the climate system" must begin now, before further impacts of climate change are observed. However, research shows even well educated adults do not understand the time delays and other basic stock and flow dynamics of the climate, resulting in widespread belief that action to limit emissions can be delayed. Poor intuitive understanding of the dynamic structure of climate change has important consequences for building public support for mitigation policies. We introduce an interactive simulation designed to improve people's understanding of climate change dynamics and influence their attitude towards mitigation action. We report results of an experiment using the simulator in an interactive workshop with highly educated adults. Results show a positive shift in participant opinion about the urgency of emissions reductions and improved performance on tasks involving stocks and flows in the context of climate change.
by Juan Francisco Martin Aguirre.
S.M.
103 p.
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by
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http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Technology and Policy Program.
Engineering Systems Division.
Improving understanding of climate change dynamics using interactive simulations
Thesis
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Publication
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<Abstract>Global climate change is one of the most complex problems that human kind will face during the 21st century. Long delays in changing greenhouse gas emissions and in the response of the climate to anthropogenic forcing mean action to limit the risks of "dangerous interference with the climate system" must begin now, before further impacts of climate change are observed. However, research shows even well educated adults do not understand the time delays and other basic stock and flow dynamics of the climate, resulting in widespread belief that action to limit emissions can be delayed. Poor intuitive understanding of the dynamic structure of climate change has important consequences for building public support for mitigation policies. We introduce an interactive simulation designed to improve people's understanding of climate change dynamics and influence their attitude towards mitigation action. We report results of an experiment using the simulator in an interactive workshop with highly educated adults. Results show a positive shift in participant opinion about the urgency of emissions reductions and improved performance on tasks involving stocks and flows in the context of climate change.</Abstract>
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