Climate and environment science studies the coupled physical systems — atmosphere, oceans, lithosphere and biosphere — that govern Earth's energy balance and long-term climate. From the greenhouse effect to tectonic drift and tornado dynamics, these are the physical systems that sculpt our planet, made interactive. Tune CO₂ concentration, plate velocities and storm conditions, then watch the planet respond in real time. By experimenting with each interactive Climate & Environment model you learn how radiative forcing, ocean circulation, ice-albedo feedback and the carbon cycle interlock to shape global temperature. Understanding these mechanisms matters because they underpin weather forecasting, sea-level projection, natural-hazard planning and the climate policy decisions that affect billions of people worldwide.
Earth system dynamics — atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere
Climate is a coupled, non-linear dynamical system with dozens of feedback loops. Positive feedbacks (ice-albedo, water vapor) amplify warming; negative feedbacks (blackbody radiation, clouds) stabilise temperature. Tipping points occur where positive feedbacks overcome negative ones — a qualitative change in system state that is difficult to reverse.
Earth system science fundamentals
Articles on Earth system science and climate modelling
Greenhouse effect, ocean circulation, ice-albedo feedback, and climate models
Climate science simulations model the coupled physical processes that regulate Earth's energy balance and drive long-term climate change. Energy-balance model simulations solve the global mean temperature as a function of solar constant, albedo, and greenhouse-gas optical depth, reproducing the historic temperature record and projecting future scenarios. Ocean-circulation simulations model thermohaline density-driven flow, showing how meltwater pulses slow the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation.
Ice-albedo feedback simulations demonstrate the positive-feedback mechanism that amplifies polar warming: as ice melts, albedo decreases, absorbing more sunlight and melting more ice. Carbon-cycle box models track CO₂ exchange between atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere. These are simplified versions of the coupled general-circulation models (GCMs) used in the IPCC assessment reports, making the physics of climate change directly explorable.
Climate simulations are among the most consequential models in science. Global Climate Models (GCMs) run on supercomputers solve coupled ocean-atmosphere equations to project future temperatures, precipitation patterns, and sea level rise. The simple Energy Balance Models simulated here are the conceptual ancestors of these GCMs and are still used by scientists to understand climate sensitivity, feedback mechanisms, and the timing of past ice ages.
Topics and algorithms you'll explore in this category
Five quick questions to check your understanding of climate science
Common questions about this simulation category
Every Climate & Environment simulation in this collection turns abstract Earth-system physics into something you can see and steer. Each interactive Climate & Environment model — from the energy balance and carbon cycle to ocean acidification and tectonic drift — lets you adjust the drivers and watch feedbacks unfold. Whether you are a student, an educator or a curious researcher, you can learn Climate & Environment online for free, no installation required. These browser-based tools mirror the real-world climate models used to forecast warming, project sea-level rise and guide emissions policy, making planetary science genuinely hands-on and accessible.