When we think about history, we usually focus on the human impact: our influential leaders, the great civilisations we’ve built, and how we’ve harnessed the world’s resources to power our lives.
But what about the influence of our planet? How has the Earth helped to create us?
In his new book, astrobiologist Lewis Dartnell talks us through just that: how the Earth's ancient geographyhas influenced the development of human societies in ways we might not have noticed, and how it still affects our behaviour today.
He’s talking to BBC Focuseditorial assistant Helen Glenny about a few fascinating case studies: like how geological forces drove our evolution in the East African Rift, and whether the UK’s ancient geography influences our political beliefs.
Listen to moreScience Focus Podcastepisodes:
- How technology is changing politics – Jamie Susskind
- Air pollution is killing us, here’s how you can stop it – Gary Fuller
- There is no Plan B for planet Earth – Lord Martin Rees
- This is how to invent everything – Ryan North
- Wildfires: past, present and future – Prof Andrew Scott
- Solving the plastic problem – Mark Miodownik
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