Cultural History of Climate

Wolfgang Behringer, Univeristy of York

"The reaction of societies to environmental change in this thoroughly research and insightful book is presented in a highly readable way, whether Behringer is dealing with the Medieval Warm Period and wine harvest data, or with the Little Ice Age and the rise of the Dutch genre of winter landscape painting."Sociology "[E]xcellent ... I strongly recommend A Cultural History of Climate ... It is particularly strong on explaining the dramatic cultural and social changes that climate variations have had on humanity over the last thousands of years, and discussing the archival and physical evidence in a very compelling way."Socialist Unity  “A daring account of the ways in which climate has influenced the human story … he proves beyond any sensible doubt that climate has helped shape human history. BOOK OF THE MONTH.”Geographical"Behringer's cultural history of climate shows that today's concern with global warming is only the latest example of humankind's preoccupation with weather and climate. He provides a careful and realistic view of the reaction of societies to environmental change."J. Donald Hughes, University of Denver"Today we may worry about global warming and climate change, but our ancestors coped with plenty of dramatic climate change too – this is the central theme of Behringer's arresting global study of human responses to changing climate since our species appeared on earth. Not all readers will share his sanguine tone but they will find this extensively researched book consistently provocative and insightful, whether it's dealing with wine harvest data, adoption of heavier clothing, the great ice age or the Dutch genre of winter landscape painting."Peter Coates, University of Bristol

• Preface vii Introduction 11. What Do We Know about the Climate? 8Sources of Climate History 8Causes of Climate Change 14The Palaeoclimate since the Formation of the Planet 202. Global Warming: The Holocene 31Children of the Ice Age 31Global Warming and Civilization 39From Roman Optimum to Medieval Warm Period 603. Global Cooling: The Little Ice Age 85The Concept of the Little Ice Age 85The Changing Environment 88Dance of Death 103Winter Blues 1154. Cultural Consequences of the Little Ice Age 121The Wrathful God 121Sin Economics as the Motor of Change 133The Cool Sun of Reason 1465. Global Warming: The Modern Warm Period 168Apparent Uncoupling from the Forces of Nature 168The Discovery of Global Warming 182Reactions to Climate Change 1916. Epilogue: Sins against the Environment and Greenhouse Climate 206Notes 218Further reading 262Index 264