Headline: The Great Divergence and Geopolitical Climate Shocks Guest: Professor Peter Frankopan Book Title: The Earth Transformed: An Untold History The "Great Divergence" explains why Europe accelerated in science and technology over Asia despite the lat

Headline: The Great Divergence and Geopolitical Climate Shocks Guest: Professor Peter Frankopan Book Title:The Earth Transformed: An Untold History The "Great Divergence" explains why Europe accelerated in science and technology over Asia despite the latter's long history of learning. Frankopan suggests that geography played a crucial role; for example, England's coal fields were located near its capital and waterways, whereas China's were far from its population centers, making exploitation expensive. Additionally, while China's efficient bureaucracy stifled new ideas, European competition and the exploitation of colonial resources provided a "kickstart" for industrialization. Climate shocks also played a role; the Bengal famine in the 1770s shattered state revenues and destroyed families. A specific instance of climate impacting geopolitics occurred after the 1783 Laki eruption. As the Ottoman Empire struggled with internal disorder and crop failure in Egypt, Catherine the Great seized the opportunity to annex Crimea. This highlights how ecological pressures can distract major powers, allowing rivals to redraw global maps. (6)
1900 JULIAETTA IDAHO