August 6, 2018
Feature

Integrating Human System Dynamics Into Earth System Models

A review of modeling research on two-way interactions between human and Earth systems sheds light on system interactions and informs directions for future Earth system modeling research

humans and earth

Researchers seek ways to more fully couple human system models into Earth system models as a means to explore a more comprehensive set of interactions, including impacts of the Earth system on human systems

The Science

Historically, Earth system models (ESMs) have considered only limited, one-way interactions with human systems and human system modeling, with key human-caused drivers of the Earth system (such as industrial emissions and land use changes) supplied by external models. Increasingly, however, researchers are exploring ways to more fully couple human system models into ESMs as a means to explore a more comprehensive set of interactions, including impacts of the Earth system on human systems. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory surveyed a broad set of relevant literature on fully coupled models with two-way feedbacks between the human and Earth systems.

The Impact

This review quantifies key results emerging from the literature on feedbacks between coupled human and Earth system models. It identifies limitations in the current literature, such as the small number of studies, and outlines future research directions for better incorporating human system models and dynamics into ESMs.

 

Reference: K. Calvin and B. Bond-Lamberty, "Integrated Human-Earth System Modeling-State of the Science and Future Directions." Environmental Research Letters 13, 063006 (2018). [https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aac642]

Key Capabilities

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About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science. For more information on PNNL, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Published: August 6, 2018

Research Team

Katherine Calvin and Ben-Bond Lamberty, PNNL (Joint Global Change Research Institute)