What ancient Egyptians taught us about climate change

Ancient Egyptians have taught us to plan ahead of imminent climate change, Tel Aviv University’s professor Israel Finkelstein tells the New York Times. According to Finkelstein’s study, ancient Egyptian leaders ordered increased grain production and crossbred local cattle in an early effort to ward off climate disaster caused by drought. However, their efforts only managed to extend the life of the Egyptian empire about half a century longer, before the ultimate collapse of the empire and the Late Bronze Age. Despite their failure, ancient Egyptians offered a valuable lesson that modern civilizations have yet to learn. “Present-day humanity may have the resources and tools to cope with climate change, but action is often stifled by those who have a vested interest in denying the reality of human-caused climate change,” says historian John F. Haldon of Princeton University.