Recently, I attended my 30th-year MIT reunion and had the chance to hear some excellent lectures from MIT professors. One of them was a hands-on workshop on En-ROADS, a climate solutions simulator developed by MIT Sloan and Climate Interactive.
This powerful tool is designed for policymakers, climate experts, advocates, and really anyone concerned about the climate crisis (which should be all of us). It lets you simulate a wide range of climate policies and interventions—such as reforestation, carbon pricing, electrification incentives, or nuclear energy development—and immediately see the projected impact through clear, dynamic visuals.
En-ROADS is already being used by governments, NGOs, and educators in over 100 countries. Its goal: help us understand what actually works when trying to reduce emissions and limit global warming.
The simulator is built on a system dynamics model developed by Prof. John Sterman. System dynamics is a framework for building computer models of complex real-world systems and testing different scenarios over time. It focuses on feedback loops, time delays, and accumulations (or “stocks and flows”) that drive system behavior. By constructing models that represent the interconnections and feedback structures within a system, practitioners can simulate and analyze potential outcomes, helping to inform more effective decision-making. I was fortunate to take a system dynamics class at MIT, and it remains one of the most intellectually satisfying experiences of my studies. If you’re curious to learn more, MIT offers some excellent free online courses on the topic.
You can explore the simulator yourself here: https://www.climateinteractive.org/en-roads/. It’s a fascinating way to test different policy mixes and see what it would actually take to keep global temperature rise within the 1.5–2.0°C range—what scientists broadly agree is a non-catastrophic outcome for human civilization and the planet.
One of the simulator’s most eye-opening features is how it reveals the lag time and limited impact of individual actions when taken in isolation. For example, even aggressive development of nuclear energy or large-scale reforestation—while clearly positive—don’t move the needle as much or as quickly as their advocates might hope. They help, but they’re far from sufficient on their own.
By contrast, the simulator shows that strong carbon pricing and massive improvements in energy efficiency are among the most impactful levers we have, though often underappreciated in public debate.
I strongly recommend trying it out. It’s a great way to build a grounded understanding of the levers we have—and their real-world effects. And please share it with your family, friends, and colleagues. The more people understand the systemic challenges and trade-offs, the more collective pressure we can apply on the policymakers who need to act.
