Climate scientists use fictional worlds to explore real-world modeling limitations and biases
Original framing: “Do Middle-earth and Westeros make sense? Climate scientists modelled them to find out” — The Conversation - Global
The study demonstrates how climate models rely on assumptions about geography, land use, and atmospheric conditions. By testing these models on fictional worlds, scientists can identify and correct biases in their simulations.
The use of fictional worlds like Middle-earth and Westeros to test climate models is a powerful tool for exposing the limitations and biases of current scientific frameworks.
By engaging with Indigenous knowledge, cross-cultural storytelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration, climate science can evolve into a more inclusive and accurate discipline. This approach not only enhances the technical quality of models but also aligns with the diverse ways in which humans have historically understood and interacted with their environments. The synthesis of these dimensions offers a path toward more equitable, effective, and culturally resonant climate science.