World Climate Simulation

Official Description: Learn to lead the the World Climate Simulation and give your students a taste of what it is like to be a negotiator at the UN climate change negotiations. World Climate was developed by Climate Interactive, MIT, and the UML Climate Change Initiative. During the simulation, World Climate participants become negotiators for different regions of the world and work to negotiate a global climate agreement. As they negotiate, participants learn about important carbon emission trends, global power dynamics, and what it takes to prevent catastrophic climate change. Over 40,000 people in 75 countries have participated in World Climate simulation events led by people from all different sectors from top business leaders to students.

Layman's Description: You will literally understand how to save the world by reducing the impact of global climate change.

DO Conference Hype: "Global climate change is one of the biggest threats facing our world today!  As educators, we have a moral obligation to prepare our students to address the issues of this scientific fact and empower them to enact world-saving changes.  More than just science, this workshop will explore the dynamics of power, privilege, racial, and social justice that intersect throughout this issue. World Climate is suitable for, and has been used with, people from middle school to graduate school students, community and religious groups, executive leaders, scientists, and everyone in between."

Presenter: Ellie Johnston leads Climate Interactive’s global climate and energy efforts. She has built up Climate Interactive’s engagement programs to extend to thousands worldwide from top journalists to leading decision-makers to school children. Through all this, Ellie is working to deepen and expand global understanding on how to act on climate change and related systemic challenges by bridging the gaps between science and policy. Ellie has been a speaker at UN meetings, the White House, the African Union, and many universities; and her work has been cited in publications like the New York Times, Associated Press, and Washington Post.