Jonathan Freedland explores historical parallels of today's shift to renewable energy due to climate change.

Jonathan considers moments in history when societies have been forced to adapt their energy supply due to environmental pressures. He looks to the Ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom and how it adapted to a century long drought, Early Modern England's wood scarcity crisis and the shift away from coal prompted by London's Great Smog of 1952.

In our era of environmental crisis, can these historical events offer guidance on how best to adapt our own energy resources?

Contributors:
Professor Nadine Moeller, Yale University.
Keith Pluymers, Assistant Professor, Illinois State University
Dr Roger Fouquet, London School of Economics

Producer: Sam Peach Show less