So, have we really been here before? Is the current blight of global warming something out of the ordinary, or simply the latest shift in the world's chaotic climatic patterns? In his fascinating new book, Brian Fagan has little time for those who point to earlier periods of rising global temperatures in order to convince themselves that we have nothing to worry about This doesn't mean, however, that we can't learn from the past Yes, the threats we face are unprecedented - and, uniquely, they largely derive from human activity - but it's still possible to look at a bygone era (in this case, the years between 800 and 1300) and garner some valuable lessons and warnings.
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