I think the readings provide tangible historical examples of how shifts in climate--through events like crop failures, extreme weather, and social unrest-- directly influenced human societies and their response to social change. I also think it's interesting to have examples of the positive impacts of climate change on these communities as humans were able to adapt to their environments. I think these types of examples help us be reminded that we don't need to feel complete despair when it comes to climate change. We touched on this with the other readings from last week during the discussion about environmental reductionism. It’s good to have examples of success in darker times because I feel like that makes people more likely to accept change and work toward better solutions. I remember that last week, something I wanted to say was that people think of climate change as something nonexistent in our past and far in our future. It’s important to make them realize that climate change existed before, is happening right now, and will continue to happen in the future.