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Energy Transitions

Jonathan Freedland explores historical parallels of today's shift to renewable energy due to climate change. They include the Ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom and the 1952 Great Smog.

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

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28 minutes

Last on

Mon 9 May 2022 21:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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  • Tue 8 Feb 2022 15:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 9 May 2022 21:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Podcast

  • The Long View

    History series in which stories from the past shed light on current events