Ice Age: How a Change of Climate Made Us Human by Mary Gribbin, John Gribbin

The acclaimed book Ice Age: How a Change of Climate Made Us Human by Mary Gribbin tells the story of how humans evolved over the past two million years – from our hominid ancestors to modern Homo sapiens. This book looks at the pivotal role that climate change has played in this long process, showing how our species evolved in response to an ever-shifting environment.

The author educates her readers through an engaging exploration of prehistory. Gribbin takes readers on a journey from the warm, wet era in Africa that witnessed the emergence of our earliest forebears, to the onset of the Ice Age and our eventual expansion across the globe. She reveals that, at each step of the way, our ancestors faced climate-driven challenges as temperatures and sea levels rose and fell around the world.

Our ancestors had to adapt to the changing environments they faced, and Gribbin shows that their success in doing so led to our species’ success. She explains how new skills, the development of tools, the spread of food sources, the invention of shelter, and a gradual colonization of new areas across the world were crucial steps in human evolution.

Gribbin’s book puts our story into a wider global context as she shows how climate fluctuations not only impacted our species’ development but also impacted other species, most notably the great mammals like mammoths and saber-toothed cats that once roamed the world.

Throughout the book, Gribbin relies on cutting-edge research to bring her narrative to life. Drawing on the findings of palaeontologists, biologists, and climate experts, she creates a vivid depiction of our ancestors’ struggles, achievements and successes as they faced dry spells and ice ages alike.

The author also brings her own passion for the subject to the fore, emphasizing the relevance of her story to modern times. With global temperature rising, she highlights the importance of understanding our past as a way to aide our adaptation for the future. Gribbin reflects on the ingenuity of our ancestors that allowed our species to survive in a changing world, urging us to honour this legacy by doing our own part to protect the planet.

Ultimately, Ice Age: How a Change of Climate Made Us Human is more than just an intriguing exploration of our species’ prehistory. It is a call to action for our current moment, reminding us of the impact that climate has had – and can continue to have – on our survival. With Gribbin’s book, readers can gain a better understanding of how humanity has adapted to a changing global environment, and gain insight into how we can continue to do so in the future.