Intense weather phenomena, climate variations and our inability to anticipate its consequences are shaping many key areas of today's world, from our health to the price of our food. However, this influence is not new: The climate has always been a hidden driver after human decisions, social changes and historical transformations.
A multidisciplinary analysis led by Spanish universities and European scientists studied the development of Amazigh populations in the Canary Islands between the 1st and 15th centuries AD, focusing on how factors such as climatic fluctuations and environmental diversity affected their demographic evolution. Using radiocarbon dating and cross-referencing archaeological data with paleoclimatic information from the late Holocene, the scientists found connections between climate, agricultural productivity, and human settlements.
Climate, a key agent in cultural evolution
The peaks and falls of ancient populations observed on the archipelago's islands are interpreted as reflecting phases of social expansion or contraction, linked to environmental variability. Gran Canaria and Tenerife, with greater ecological diversity, showed more stable occupation, while other, more limited islands faced more marked declines in the face of change.
This approach, which has not yet been widely applied in the Canary Islands, suggests the relevance of agricultural adaptation and community resilience to climate change. This study involves universities such as La Laguna, Málaga, Burgos, and Linköping, highlighting the interaction between demography and climate in island contexts.
Disinformation and climate change: a modern obstacle
Nowadays, one of the most important challenges is to combat the growing misinformation about climate changeIsabel Moreno, a Spanish meteorologist and author of the book "Atmosphere of Hoaxes," warns that many erroneous messages circulate on social media, making it difficult to understand phenomena such as the role of carbon dioxide or the human impact on global warming.
Moreno emphasizes that despite representing only 0,04% of the atmosphere, COâ‚‚ plays an essential role in the Earth's thermal balance. The challenge is to clearly explain complex concepts to a public that receives contradictory and fragmented information, an environment where hoaxes can spread faster than scientific truth. Furthermore, in his book, Moreno analyzes how the importance of climate in cities and ecosystems.
He also emphasizes that many processes already initiated by global warming are irreversible, and that current action can only slow the acceleration, not reverse what has already been achieved. Therefore, he emphasizes the importance of remaining firm in scientific dissemination in the face of misinformation.
Climate shakes the global economy
In recent years, inflation of basic foodstuffs has been driven by extreme weather conditionsBetween 2022 and 2024, countries such as Brazil, Japan, and the Ivory Coast experienced historic heat waves and floods that caused increases of up to 300% in the price of essential products such as cocoa, olive oil, and rice.
Researchers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center point out that climate instability This translates into high price volatility. Even in developed countries, weather changes affect agricultural production and, consequently, consumers' wallets.
The report details that There are no magic formulas or technological shields that protect against climate change. Droughts, for example, create shortages, make nutritious products more expensive, and ultimately affect public health. This exacerbates inequality, as poorer families are forced to substitute healthy foods for cheaper, less nutritious alternatives.
Social and political consequences of extreme weather
The effects of climate change go beyond the economic: They also affect social and political stabilityHistorically, food crises have sparked protests and revolutions, as occurred during the French Revolution and the Arab Spring.
Today, The climate influences monetary policy and electoral behaviorIn countries where food accounts for a larger proportion of household spending, rising prices can lead to social unrest or a loss of support for governments. This was the case in the United States, where climate inflation was linked to President Biden's falling popularity.
The study also points out how Natural disasters cause forced displacement, demands for public assistance, and pressure on health services. These cumulative consequences can deteriorate the social fabric and generate new tensions surrounding public policies.
In the face of these challenges, the authors recommend increasing investment in resilient agri-food production, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring food security for the most vulnerable. FAO emphasizes the importance of stabilizing markets and supporting small-scale producers.
The climate has proven to be a determining and transversal factor in the social, economic, and political evolution of civilizations. From the ancient communities of the Canary Islands to contemporary challenges such as inflation and misinformation, their role remains crucial. Understanding and acting accordingly is an imperative that goes beyond the ecological: it is a matter of collective survival.
