Exploring Complex Crises: Lessons from the Past and Present – June 18 Event

Image: “Ice Harvest” by Maurice Cullen, Oil on canvas, 1914. Source: Montréal Museum of Fine Arts.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges humanity faces today. Understanding how our planet’s climate has changed over time can help us find solutions for the future. This is where paleoclimatology comes in. By looking back at Earth’s history, we can see how shifts in the climate have affected civilizations.

Historian Kyle Harper explores these connections in his upcoming lecture. He discusses how climate issues have been linked to risks like conflict and disease throughout history. For example, the collapse of the Roman Empire and the impacts of the Little Ice Age reveal important lessons. By studying these past events, we might better navigate our current and future crises.

Harper, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, blends natural sciences with human history. His research focuses on how climate change and pandemics affected ancient societies. It’s fascinating to consider that the same forces shaping human health and biodiversity today have been at play for centuries.

During his talk at the Lensic Performing Arts Center on June 18, Harper will also sign copies of his book, Plagues upon the Earth: Disease and the Course of Human History. The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m., following an earlier book signing at 6:30 p.m.

Experts suggest that lessons from history can guide our responses to today’s challenges. For instance, according to a recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), extreme weather events have increased by over 40% in the past few decades. Understanding past climates may help us prepare for these future changes.

Join the discussion on social media, as many are sharing their thoughts on climate history and its relevance today. It’s a vital conversation, bringing awareness to how interconnected our survival is with the planet’s health.

For more details, visit [Santa Fe Institute](https://santafe.edu/people/profile/kyle-harper) or the [Lensic Performing Arts Center](https://lensic.org/events/kyle-harper/).

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