Climate change in the pre-industrial era

How climate change shaped human society from the agricultural to the industrial revolution and in between

Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4

In the summer of 2021, I met dear friends in the serene Romanian countryside for an afternoon of homemade foods and wines. Amongst others, we talked about climate change and, to my surprise, they were skeptical about humanity’s contribution to global warming. My feeble attempts to convince them otherwise fell on deaf years since I didn’t have enough knowledge to present a single argument. Upon returning home, I thought that the least I could do was educate myself about climate change. So, I immersed myself in climate science literature. While reading my second book, I was offered an unexpected job in the renewable energy scene. It felt like the universe was nudging me in the right direction.

A year flew by, and I decided to launch this newsletter. Initially, it was all about exploring climate fiction, but my journey took an unexpected turn. I was drawn to the roots of our climate impact – how it all began. And I discovered nothing short of eye-opening: throughout history, we have shaped nature as much as it has shaped us.

This revelation sparked an idea: a narrative documentary on pre-industrial climate change. It’s a deep dive into humanity’s epic influence on our planet – the good, the bad, and the ugly. This documentary is a beacon of hope in a world gripped by eco-doom, reminding us of our power to change the narrative.

So, strap in and join me on this whirlwind journey through history and the future it holds.

Before the steam: Climate change in the pre-industrial era

The longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward. —Winston Churchill

Join me on a captivating exploration of Earth’s climate past in Before the Steam: Climate Change in the Pre-Industrial Era. Over four episodes, we delve deep into our climate history, tracing the profound impact of climate change from the last Ice Age 40,000 years ago to the dawn of the industrial era in 1860. Get ready to discover the hidden forces that have shaped human history. Don’t miss this epic journey through time, exclusively on Story Voyager.

You can read on your desktop and mobile phone or listen on the Substack App which you can download by clicking here.

Playlist

Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4

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Episode 1

Reading time: 10 minutes

The Great Dying and the Little Ice Age: Unraveling a climate mystery

Dive into history’s icy depths with our series as we uncover the chilling tale of the Little Ice Age. From 1250 to 1860 CE, Europe shivered in the grip of bone-chilling winters and icy summers, reshaping societies and sparking global exploration and exploitation. Join me on a journey through time to uncover the icy mysteries that shaped our world.

What readers say…

‘Nothing is simple when it comes to the weather!’—

Elle Griffin

‘I’d heard about the Little Ice Age but hadn’t realised there were so many global interconnections at play.’—

Johnathan Reid

‘This is definitely one of the best essays I’ve read on the subject.’—

Terry Freedman

‘Well this just blew my mind...’—

Peter Clayborne

‘It makes me want to be able to travel to the future to see what would be said about the period of time we're currently living in.’—

Nathan Slake

‘I feel like writers in particular are poised to grasp the idea of cause and effect in ways that non-writers might not be.’—

Garrett Francis

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Episode 2

Reading time: 24 minutes

Climate change started thousands of years ago

Step into the heart-stopping world of Earth’s frozen past in Episode 2 of our climate documentary series. From ancient horse hunts to the dawn of agriculture, witness humanity’s epic struggle for survival and the profound impact on our planet’s climate history. Join me as we unravel the forgotten stories of our shared past and gain insight into our future.

What readers say…

‘Such a creative way to talk about an important and difficult topic.’—

Dr. Kathleen Waller

‘Amazing depth of research in bringing resources and a coherent story to life for a topic which is rarely explored within mainstream education.’—

Johnathan Reid

‘We need more passionate, curious writers to create living books for students.’—

Ann Collins

‘Mingling in some subtle pop-culture references to add some beats of humour to break up the seriousness of the subject.’—

Brian Wilcox

‘The planet doesn't need us, and obviously would be better off without us.’—

Alexander Ipfelkofer

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Episode 3

From ice to empire: Climate’s role in human history

In Episode 3, witness how the ebb and flow of climate shaped the destiny of empires, sparked innovation, and ignited the flames of exploration. From the heart of Mesopotamia to the corridors of ancient Rome, discover the hidden forces that propelled humanity towards its greatest triumphs and darkest hours. Reveal the secrets of our past to understand our shared future.

Release date: Second half of 2024

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Episode 4

Past, present, planet: Unraveling the human-nature connection

In our final episode, explore the intricate tapestry of human-nature interaction throughout the ages. Discover how the Roman Empire thrived on timber from ancient Celtic forests and how indigenous seeds from the Americas saved Europe from starvation. From stewards of the planet to reckless exploiters of resources, witness how our perceptions of nature have shaped our past, present, and future.

Release date: Second half of 2024

Writer’s notes

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues of our time, and education plays a crucial role in shaping our response to this global challenge. Here on Story Voyager, I aim to use climate fiction to bring the complexities of climate change to life through storytelling and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas about climate action.

While this narrative documentary has involved extensive research and writing, I recognize that I am not a scholar or a scientist, and this exploration of pre-industrial climate change is not exhaustive. I welcome contributions and insights from all who are passionate about this topic. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to share further knowledge or information.

Story Voyager is where we explore climate change through the lens of climate fiction or cli-fi. Under the motto ‘travel your imagination’, we embark on a journey of reading, researching, writing, and exchanging ideas with like-minded people. Let’s change the narrative about the future of humankind together. If you’d like to support this space even more, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your financial support will go toward commissioning illustrations for my first cli-fi series, There Is Hope.