The consequences of climate change are catastrophic. This real and present threat to our planet may seem insurmountable, but there are—and have been—lessons shared on how to mitigate the damage already wrought, and how to prevent future detriment.

On today’s episode, we explore two unique examples of societal adaptation to climate change: one from our past, and one from our present. First, we welcomed Kenneth E. Seligson, the author of "The Maya and Climate Change: Human-Environmental Relationships in the Classic Period Lowlands," who shared insights into his work exploring the environmental resilience of the Classic Maya, the environmental challenges they faced and overcame, and the lessons we can learn from them. We then interviewed Scott M. Moore, the author of "China's Next Act: How Sustainability and Technology are Reshaping China's Rise and the World's Future," to speak about contemporary China’s meteoric and controversial rise to a global power, its leading role in sustainability and technology, and what this means for institutions around the world.

For more information on "The Maya and Climate Change": https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-maya-and-climate-change-9780197652923
For more information on "China's Next Act":  https://global.oup.com/academic/product/chinas-next-act-9780197603994

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The Oxford Comment Crew:
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Host: Meghan Schaffer

Music: Filaments by Podington Bear is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.

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Climate Emergency: Lessons from Classic Maya to Contemporary China - Episode 81 - The Oxford Comment

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New tracks tagged #the maya and climate change