New podcast: Extreme weather – An intimate history

In our latest podcast Georgina Endfield, Professor of Environmental History, discusses how people have responded to unusual weather events throughout the centuries.

The study of extreme weather usually involves lots of numbers, graphs, and statistical comparisons. What’s missing is the human element; the way people responded to these events. During the ice cold winter of 1838, did people stay huddled indoors or learn to skate? How about the flooding of the river Trent in the early 19th century? Were they scared?

Professor Endfield and her team has assembled a fascinating collection of diaries, letters and other personal accounts of how people felt about dramatic shifts in weather over the past several centuries. This history of extreme weather raises important questions about our own, modern, ability to withstand a changing climate.

To find out more you can listen to the podcast by following the links below:

Listen via Blubrry

About the podcast

Our podcasts are produced in collaboration with the University of Liverpool online programmes team, Hosted by Canadian journalist and producer Neil Morrison, we aim to bring listeners closer to some of our academic experts, authors and innovative thinkers who are affecting positive change in the world today.

Visit our podcast page to learn more.

Get involved

If you would like to contact our podcast with feedback or suggestions for future recordings please e-mail news@liverpool.ac.uk

The Extreme weather history database can be found here.