Jayanna Killingsworth
Designers and planners are facing increasing challenges in creating a liveable environment in the face of global climate change. We are far behind the Paris Agreement’s ambitious goals of limiting global warming to 1.5C, which is in line with pre-industrial levels. Advances towards this require both looking to a future without fossil fuel while also being able to meet global energy demands.
This complex combination of situations requires tools that can assist in understanding the system dynamics of short and long efforts when making designs or planning spaces. The En-ROADS Climate Workshop helps build support for energy strategies by using an openly available cutting-edge simulation tool created by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan.
In this 90-minute interactive workshop, participants learn why it is important to understand the interdependency of climate change and energy sources. Participants are introduced to the En-ROADS modelling tool, an easy-to-use, science-backed simulation that can inform real-world design strategies.
Through a series of interactions with the facilitator, participants have an opportunity to test various approaches using En-ROADS to see the impact of energy decisions on global temperature and other factors, including equity. The workshop is an opportunity to experience what it is like to create climate futures using engaging conversations that result in an experience that is hopeful, scientifically grounded, action-oriented, and eye-opening.
Keywords: sustainability, modelling, systems design tool
