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History and Climate Change is a balanced and comprehensive overview of the links between climate and man's advance from early to modern times. It draws upon demographic, economic, urban, religious and military perspectives. It is a synthesis of the many historical and scientific theories, which have arisen regarding man's progress through the ages. Central to the book is the question of whether climate variation is a fundamental trigger mechanism from which other historical sequences develop, or one amongst a number of other factors, decisive only when a regime/society is poised for change. Evidence for prolonged climate change is not that extensive. But it is clear that climatic variation has regularly played a part in historical development. Paricular attention is here paid to Europe since AD 211. Cold and warmth, wetness and aridity can create contrary reactions within societies, which can be interpreted in vary different ways by scholars from differenct disciplines. Does climate change exacerbate famine and epidemics? Did climate fluctuation play a part in pivotal historical events such as the mass exodus of Hsuing-nu from China, the pressure of the Huns on the Romans and the genesis of the Crusades? Did the bitter Finnish winter of 1939-40 ensure the ultimate defeat of Hitler? These episodes, and many others are discussed throughout the book in the authors distinctive style, with maps and photographs to illustrate the examples given. Neville Brown is a Professorial Associate Fellow at Mansfield College, Oxford University; and is attached to the Oxford Centre for the Environment, Ethics and Society. 'I do most strongly recommend it.' - Richard Hill The Naval Review 'The book is impressive in its coverage of eleven centuries of European history and the synthesis of considerable literature on climate change. Brown clearly has an informed appreciation for European social, economic and demographic and environmental history.' - Georgina H. Endfield, The Geographical Journal. The Conceptual Background 1. A Confluence of Disciplines 2. Climate Dynamics 3. Empires and Barbarians 4. Antiquity Melds 5. Northerly Engagement 6. Towards the Optimum (a) The Climate in Temperate Eurasia (b) A Germinal Century 7. The Near East in Crisis 8. How Savage a Culmination? (a) How Cruel a Sea? (b) The Mongol Horde 9. Through the Optimum Une Longue Durée 10. Water, Warmth and Emergent Europe 11. Pointers to a Future (a) The Eurocentric World, 1492-1942 (b) Huntington or Gibbon? (c) A Gibbonesque Era (d) Translation to the Present (e) Persisting Uncertainties

This review of the new situation proposes a broader remit for strategic studies than ever before. A prime concern is that Space not be weaponised in pursuance of missile defence.The interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq are assessed. The Holy Land, Southern Africa, Indonesia, China and the Arctic are also foci of special concern. Other themes include 'terror' redefined; lethal lasers; internal arms control; regional pacts; Marshall Plans; climate change; instabilities in advanced societies; a two-tier EU; pre-emption doctrine; and Space exploration.

The core issue of this work is how far the West may need to modify or extend the liberal philosophy informing its responses to the multiple world crisis it is now attempting to deal with. Coming after the author's \"Engaging the Cosmos: Astronomy, Philosophy & Faith\" and \"The Geography of Human Conflict\", this text will complete a trilogy addressing very comprehensively the challenges of our times. It provides a review of the strengths and weaknesses of Social Liberalism that, broadly speaking, occupies the ground between moderate Right and moderate Left. The work is informed by the conviction that the world, half a century hence, will be either considerably better than now (freer, more peaceable, more enriching...) or else a good deal worse. Those concerned to effect the former outcome should promote the spread among emergent states of well-founded democracy. But they must also look stringently at how well democratic institutions may function in the mass societies of the West. History indicates that pell-mell cultural change, constant ecological impoverishment, and endless leap forwards in applied science may not augur well for stability and peace. The author's accepted expertise in History, International Security, Planetary Development and Applied Geophysics means he can address a variety of issues such as: climate change and resource depletion; community decay, data saturation, the future of universities, democratic devolution, leaders and led, and medical philosophy; and biowarfare, the management of Near Space, international currency, and a planetary ethos. It is contended that we are not approaching the \"end of History\" in any meaningful sense. Instead we are passing through, at accelerated pace, an evolutionary transition as impacting as that between the Old and New Stone Ages. Our perspectives on the immediate future may be honed by free-ranging speculation about what mankind can anticipate over the next few centuries.

Designed by a partnership of UN agencies, international scientific organizations, and development agencies, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) is the most extensive study ever of the linkages between the world's ecosystems and human well-being.