Usage Guide for SEDAC's Model Visualization and Analysis Service

Welcome to SEDAC's Usage Guide for the Model Visualization and Analysis (MVA) Service. The MVA Service provides access to the results of selected global climate change integrated assessment models (IAMs) and information about these models. The Usage Guide provides background on how to use the information and products available through the MVA Service.

The Usage Guide is build around a set of essays that cover key issues about the development and use of IAMs and the MVA Service. Each essay was prepared by an expert in the field of IAMs; however, they are written to convey technical information in an easy-to-understand fashion.

Usage Guide Contents

The following information and essays are available through the MVA Usage Guide:

• Why Do We Care About Integrated Assessment Models -- Background on why IAMs are useful tools for understanding global climate change.
  
• Who Develops Integrated Assessment Models -- Background on who designs and builds IAMs, the objectives of building IAMs, and funding for the development of IAMs.
• Insights and Limitations in the Development of Integrated Assessment Models -- A review of insights and limitations that developers of IAMs attribute to the models.
• Use of Integrated Assessment Models in Policy Making and Research -- A discussion of how policy and decision makers might use the results of IAMs, and how IAMs can be used in policy related research.
• Use of Integrated Assessment Models for Impact Assessment and Research -- Background on the use of IAMs for conducting impact assessment and other climate change related research. [Forthcoming]
• Use of Integrated Assessment Models by the Private Sector -- A review of how the business community (e.g., insurance companies) might utilize the results of IAMs. [Forthcoming]
• How to Select an Integrated Assessment Model -- A discussion on how to choose an IAM for conducting a specific task with a focus on the IAMs available through the MVA Service.
• How the MVA Service Works -- Information on how to use the MVA Service for addressing specific policy and research issues. [Forthcoming]

Conventions

The essays in the usage guide are relatively short (1000 to 2000 words). A contents list is provided at the beginning of each essay to help you navigate through the material. In addition, each essay links to other reference material. In most cases these are articles and reports from the published literature that expand on the ideas and concepts in the essays.

Additional Information

Additional information about IAMs, SEDAC's MVA Service, and global climate change is available from:

• In Search of Integrated Assessment
• IMAGE 2.0 Model Guide
• MiniCAM Model Guide
• ICAM Model Guide
• DICE Model Guide
• Thematic Guide on the Human Dimensions of Global Change

Suggested Citation

Acknowledgement

Data Errors, Corrections and Disclaimer
CIESIN follows procedures designed to ensure that data disseminated in CIESIN's Host are of reasonable quality. If, despite these procedures, users encounter apparent misstatements in CIESIN's Host, they should contact CIESIN Customer Services at 517/797-2614 or via Internet e-mail at CIESIN.Info@ciesin.org. CIESIN will notify the original data provider of the apparent errors or misstatements, and will attempt to correct any errors or misstatements. Neither CIESIN nor NASA verifies or guarantees the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data provided.