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This handbook offers the first comprehensive, state-of-the-field guide to past weather and climate and their role in human societies. Bringing together dozens of international specialists from the sciences and humanities, this volume describes the methods, sources, and major findings of historical climate reconstruction and impact research. Its chapters take the reader through each key source of past climate and weather information and each technique of analysis; through each historical period and region of the world; through the major topics of climate and history and core case studies; and finally through the history of climate ideas and science. Using clear, non-technical language, The Palgrave Handbook of Climate History serves as a textbook for students, a reference guide for specialists and an introduction to climate history for scholars and interested readers.

Offering new historical understandings of human responses to climate and climate change, this cutting-edge volume explores the dynamic relationship between settlement, climate, and colonization, covering everything from the physical impact of climate on agriculture and land development to the development of "folk" and government meteorologies.

"Statistical, Historical and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales" is the first book written by an Australian. In this book, the author William Charles Wentworth advocates an elected assembly for New South Wales, trial by jury, and settlement of Australia by free emigrants rather than convicts.

In 'Statistical, Historical and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales' by W. C. Wentworth, readers are provided with a thorough exploration of the colony's statistical data, historical background, and political landscape. Wentworth employs a detailed and analytical approach to present the reader with a comprehensive understanding of New South Wales during the time period. The book's prose is informative and well-researched, making it a valuable resource for those interested in colonial history and politics. Wentworth's work stands as a notable contribution to the literature on the subject, showcasing his expertise and dedication to portraying an accurate depiction of the colony. His blend of statistical analysis and historical narrative offers a unique perspective on the development of New South Wales. Readers interested in delving into the intricacies of colonial Australia will find 'Statistical, Historical and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales' to be an enriching and insightful read.

Water is fundamental to all life. From the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, to the extreme water shortages that have struck California in recent years, modern societies often take its abundance for granted until it unexpectedly becomes scarce. Drought is one of the many problems anthropogenic climate change may exacerbate, but it is also a complex phenomenon at the intersection of a range of scientific disciplines and public policy issues. In this innovative book, Benjamin I. Cook brings together climate science, hydrology, and ecology to provide a synthetic overview of drought and its environmental and social consequences. Cook introduces readers to the hydroclimate and its components, explaining the global water cycle, the earth’s climate system, and the distribution of water resources. He discusses drought dynamics and variability over time, the climatological context and ecological effects, and environmental issues such as desertification, land degradation, and groundwater depletion. He also considers the socioeconomic impacts of drought and the role of drought risk management policy, especially in light of how climate change is expected to affect drought risk and severity. Cook gives special attention to paleoclimate and the role of drought in the crises of ancient civilizations. A scientifically comprehensive and approachable overview of water issues throughout the world, Drought is a critical interdisciplinary text that will be essential reading for a broad range of students in earth science and environmental and sustainability studies.