Basic toolbox

Graphs, maps, spreadsheets, images, GIS—used in local analysis of climate change and to communicate trends, patterns, impacts and alternatives

Earth systems models (e.g., general circulation models, carbon cycle models, climate forecast models)

Predict climate (e.g., seasonal forecasts, past climate) Estimate how emissions (and alternative emission paths) will affect global and regional climate

Understand how changes in climate or other factors (e.g., land use) might affect global carbon and biogeochemical cycles

Explore and communicate key uncertainties

Assess the global climate implications of some geoengineering options

Impact models (e.g., ecosystem models, crop models, water resource models, disease models, coastal models)

Analyze the impacts of changes in climate on the environment and human activity

Explore the interactions of climate with other changes (e.g., in water demand, land use, agricultural technology, vulnerability) to understand range of impacts

Examine the potential for adaptation to reduce impacts