Do I need to install anything?

No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.

For K-12 Students · Daisyworld

Daisyworld for an ice age

Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate an ice age live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

DaisyworldLive

planetary self-regulation (Gaia)

Controls

Speed1×

Watson and Lovelock's Daisyworld shows how life can regulate a planet. Black daisies warm a cold world by absorbing sunlight; white daisies cool a hot one by reflecting it. As the sun brightens, the daisy mix shifts to hold the temperature nearly constant — biological homeostasis with no foresight.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Luminosity0.70

Temperature0.0 °C

White / black20% / 20%

Governing equation

\frac{d A _{w}}{d t} = A_{w} (x β (T) - γ), β (T) = 1 - 0.003265 (295.5 - T)^{2}, L = 0.70

Reading this result: Under a dim sun (L=0.70), dark black daisies (20%) take over and absorb sunlight, warming the planet toward the temperature life prefers.

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More with Daisyworld

Daisyworld for an earthquake Daisyworld for a volcano Daisyworld for a glacier melt Daisyworld for a tsunami Daisyworld for a river flood Daisyworld for an ocean current Daisyworld for a sea-level rise Daisyworld for a carbon cycle

Frequently asked questions

Is this good for k-12 students?: Yes — this version of "Daisyworld for an ice age" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.