Global Warming Simulation
The Global Warming Interactive Simulation is a serious game that explores the relationship of global warming to economic, political, and science policy decisions.
The simulation, developed by a nine person team headed by Professor Michael Hillinger (and simulated using Forio Broadcast), takes into account social and economic variables such as development of alternative energy sources, taxes on carbon production, unemployment levels, and even public opinion.
You assume the roles of scientific, policy, or economic advisors in Brazil. The time is 1960 and the world is as yet unaware of the impacts development will have on the global environment. For the next 100 years you will be responsible for managing some of the decisions made by the Brazilian Government. If you choose wisely you can guide Brazil to a path of sustainable development and insure that the world 100 years from now is a place we would want to live.
You can make policy decisions, allocate budgets, set taxes, and protect land. Based on your decisions, the game triggers events you would expect in the real world. Did your fossil fuel use drop? You may get a complimentary email from the country’s president. Did your carbon tax cause a sharp increase in unemployment? You may see a video clip from the “Action Newsroom” showing popular discontent with your actions.
This game was developed with a grant from National Science Foundation (award #0441330)
Posted by Michael Bean
August 20th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Hi i am a physics chemistry teacher in australia.
I have tried the game and love the concept but when i submit my second set of data the game does not progress.
I am not sure what i am doing wrong and i cant work it out from the instructions.
I would like to incorporate this simulation in environmental physics course and would appreciate some help
Pete
August 27th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Peter,
Are you still having problems with this? I went and checked the sim and was able to advance through time successfully. What were the links you clicked? If you are still having problems I can help put you in touch with the game's authors.
WILL
October 16th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Similar to Pete's inquiry I'm having the same issue attempting to use this in a high school engineering course, however sporadically.
After pilot testing with a class of students in Utah which worked seamlessly, I'm attempting the same with two classes in Wisconsin. Only the first data entry up to 1970 appears after closing out the window and re-entering.
I'm curious as to whether there is something unique with computers on my end causing this, as I've accessed from locations outside of school and it works fine.
Seems as if there is some minor glitch, but I've yet to figure it out. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Doug