Exploring CMIP6 Climate Projections with ClimoCast at NIES Open House 2026
| Event | National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Open House 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 October 2026 |
| Venue | NIES, Tsukuba, Japan |
| Organizer | NIES |
OVERVIEW
On October 25, 2026, NIES held its annual Open House, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about environmental research through a variety of interactive exhibits and activities. The event was conducted in Japanese and welcomed visitors of all ages.
The Center for Climate Change Adaptation (CCCA) organized several activities for visitors of all ages to learn about climate change and adaptation in an accessible and engaging way.
Among them, AP-PLAT hosted an interactive activity titled “Exploring the Future with ClimoCast!”, using ClimoCast, an online climate projection tool developed by NIES using CMIP6 climate projection data. This was the first time AP-PLAT had offered a hands-on ClimoCast activity at the NIES Open House, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore future climate projections directly.
Exploring Future Climate with ClimoCast
How much warmer could it be in 2100 compared with about 30 years ago?
Visitors first considered this question before looking at climate projection data. They placed colored stickers on maps of the world, Japan, and the Tsukuba area to indicate how much they expected temperatures to rise.
They then used ClimoCast on laptops or their own smartphones to explore future temperature projections with support from AP-PLAT/CCCA staff. The sticker colors corresponded to those used in ClimoCast, making it easy for participants to compare their predictions with the projection results.
Because ClimoCast is provided in English, staff assisted participants with the controls and terminology while encouraging them to explore the tool themselves.
From Adaptation Actions to Climate Projections
The ClimoCast activity was linked with CCCA’s “Let’s Adapt!” quiz booth, where participants learned about practical actions for adapting to climate change in everyday life.
By moving from familiar adaptation actions to scientific climate projections, participants could connect everyday preparedness with the future climate risks that make adaptation necessary. The activity concluded with a key message: even as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions continue, some degree of future climate change is expected. Understanding these changes can help us consider how to prepare, adjust, and live safely and comfortably under a changing climate.
Participation and Feedback
A total of 117 visitors took part in the ClimoCast activity.
Many participants were surprised by how much temperatures could rise in the future. Several also commented positively on the fact that ClimoCast is freely available online.
Typical comments included:
- “I didn’t expect temperatures to rise this much in the future.”
- “It’s great that anyone can use ClimoCast online for free.”
Looking Ahead
Through this activity, AP-PLAT aimed to make scientific climate information more accessible and to encourage visitors to think about climate change adaptation as an issue connected to their own lives.
ClimoCast can be used to explore how temperature and precipitation may change in different parts of the world under different future scenarios. AP-PLAT will continue to provide scientific tools and information that help people better understand future climate risks and consider appropriate adaptation actions.
We sincerely thank everyone who visited our booth and participated in the activity.
Related Information
- ClimoCast – Climate Projection for All
- Learn How to Use ClimoCast – Video Training in the LEARNING HUB
- What is CMIP6?
- Let’s Adapt! – 15 Everyday Adaptation Actions
- CCCA活動報告(Japanese only, Coming soon.)
(Date: 25 October 2026)
