CMCC Lectures
20 January 2026, 12:00 CET
Watch the video

Join climate scientist and educator Dargan Frierson, Associate Professor at the University of Washington and CMCC Bassi Fellow, as he guides us through explorations of global change using a hierarchy of models and unexpected developments in our changing climate, from Arctic wildfires to the limits of remaining carbon budgets. Explore interactive tools and hands-on games that allow students to model and shape future climate scenarios. Discover how scientific research and engaging simulations can guide choices that influence our planet’s future.

Climate change is already a reality: across the world, new records are being set, for extreme heat, heavy rainfall, wildfires, and more. Fossil fuel burning is also still at record highs, which means we will be experiencing even more severe climate impacts in future years. In this CMCC Lecture, climate scientist and educator Dargan Frierson, associate professor of Atmospheric and Climate Science at the University of Washington and CMCC Bassi Fellow, will cover recent research on some of the more unexpected, newly arising climate developments, and will present educational tools based on simple climate models.

He will look at increasing Arctic wildfires and their effect on climate in Earth system models, address remaining carbon budgets to meet temperature targets such as 1.5 or 2 degrees as calculated with simple climate models, and analyze the influence of aerosols on global climate in simple and comprehensive models.

Dr. Frierson will also delve into educational tools such as video games based on simple climate models, which allow University students to construct and explore their own climate futures by calculating the effects of their choices regarding future energy and emissions pathways.

Speaker: Dargan Frierson, Associate Professor, Atmospheric and Climate Science, University of Washington

Discussant: Massimo Tavoni, CMCC

Moderator: Momme Butenschön, CMCC

WATCH THE VIDEO

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

• EarthGames
• Climate, Justice and Energy Solutions (free, interactive textbook)
• Fundamentals of Climate Change (another free online textbook)
• The Sun Also Rises in Washington (popular article about community solar power)
• Carbon Majors (data on historical fossil fuel emissions)
• Union of Concerned Scientists Climate Accountability page

Dargan Frierson is a climate scientist and educator, Associate Professor of Atmospheric and Climate Science at the University of Washington. With a Ph.D. in Applied and Computational Mathematics, he utilizes a hierarchy of models, from simple to comprehensive, to understand atmospheric circulation, the causes and effects of global warming, and methods of climate action. He is the author of two open, interactive textbooks and over 90 scientific publications. He leads EarthGames, an international group of scientists and game developers that hosts game jams and makes interactive digital games about the environment.

The event is part of the CMCC Lectures webinar series, which presents frontier topics and solutions in climate sciences and action, through the insights of leading experts. The series provides a platform for prominent scientists to showcase their cutting-edge research and engage in dialogue with peers and stakeholders.