NASA Climate Time Machine by M. Boeck

Abstract

Boeck, Moore et al. “NASA Climate Time Machine”, animated by Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio, Moore Boeck and CReSIS. NASA's Global Climate Change website, https://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/climate-time-machine.

The NASA Climate Time Machine site is part of that agency’s Global Climate Change initiative and is designed to provide users with a visual guide to the changes the planet has undergone in recent history to further education about climate change, as well as the potential effects of such change on the world.

The site proper is divided up into four sections; Sea Ice, which shows the reduction of polar ice from 1979 through to 2015; Sea Levels, examining the consequences of melting sea ice and the consequent raising of sea levels on the United States’ states which border the Gulf of Mexico; Carbon Dioxide, which displays global CO² levels from the start of the millennium to 2015; and finally Global Temperature, which tracks the changes in the world’s temperature since 1884.

The Climate Time Machine is a good way for children to visualize some of what they’ve learned in class in a dramatic fashion. This is particularly evident in the case of the sea level section as it shows both the cities of Miami and New Orleans disappearing underwater. All of the pages provide some level of interaction in the form of sliders which advance the changes on a large map. There is also some explanatory text on each page to provide context for what is being displayed. This is perhaps the weakest aspect of the site as there is not much to read and what is there is not really designed for younger readers. Ideally this would be used as part of a wider discussion in class or with a more learned adult, such as a parent, if only to give a better idea of what the child is seeing. Overall though, the simplicity of the site is a benefit and comes from a very authoritative source. Suggested age group: 12+. 

Highly Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Shane Allan

Shane is an MLIS student at the University of Alberta and is currently employed as a cataloger, reorganizing a collection of curriculum materials. His favourite children's book is the Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen for its mix of adventure, fantasy and science fiction. It shows the value and importance of communication, companionship, and determination in the face of tremendous odds.