Many more variants on policy proposals are envisaged. Modules will be developed in-situ during the evolving global climate negotiations over the next few months, in response to suggestions. Although the current focus is on details of “flexible mechanisms”, we need long-term global proposals in order to calculate the climate impact, and should consider defining “strategies” rather than fixed “scenarios”, in order to be robust against uncertainties.
The networking features of Java could enable distributed groups to interact with the same model over the internet, using shared parameters as a quantitative framework for science or policy discussion. Thus the java model encourages direct dialogue between different stakeholder groups, rather than via experts, and enables citizens to balance risks, values and equity from various viewpoints.
The technique for coding “remote control”, might also be applied to construct educational demonstration sequences in response to “frequently asked questions”.
The regional climate impact map already shown, illustrates the importance of thinking beyond global average figures, and many more plots could be developed with more sophisticated scaling. Dynamic graphics illustrating local and sectoral impacts should also be developed.
The rapid response of the core science modules suggests that more sophisticated calculations are possible -eventually moving towards intermediate complexity models. It is particularly important to include more biogeochemical feedbacks, especially when extending the model over longer timescales. Suggestions are welcome regarding feedback parameters or model structures.
The flexible modular code structure (which will be partly "open source") encourages development of additional "plug-in" components. These may eventually be linked to larger “3rd generation Integrated Assessment models” which are also expected to share modules across the web.
So there is much potential, and any ideas for cooperation would be most welcome.