Why Idealized Models Are More Important Than Ever in Earth System Science

Simulating the Earth system is crucial for studying Earth's climate and how it changes. Modeling approaches that simplify the Earth system while retaining key characteristics are important tools to advance understanding. The simplicity and flexibility of idealized models enables imaginative science and makes them powerful educational tools. Evolving scientific community needs and increasing model complexity, however, makes it challenging to maintain and support idealized configurations in cutting-edge Earth system modeling frameworks. We call on the scientific community to re-emphasize model hierarchies within these frameworks to aid in understanding the Earth system, advancing model development, and developing the future workforce.