A climate model, as Nate Hagens explains, is a sophisticated simulation used to understand and predict the behavior of Earth's climate system. It integrates complex mathematical formulas representing the interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. These models are built on fundamental physical principles and historical climate data, aiming to project future climatic changes under various scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions. Hagens emphasizes that while climate models are invaluable tools for informing policy and preparing for climate impacts, they are inherently based on assumptions and simplifications. Thus, they provide a range of potential outcomes rather than precise predictions, reflecting the intricate and dynamic nature of Earth’s climate.

See also: climate change, fossil fuel, ecological economics, renewable energy, nuclear power