Includes bibliographical references (p. 357-406) and index.

1. Introduction -- Pt. I. Early human history -- 2. From ape to human: the emergence of hominins -- 3. Human behavioural evolution -- 4. migrations and diaspora of Homo -- Pt. II. Climate during the last glacial cycle -- 5. Climate change over the last 135 000 years -- 6. effect of 135 000 years of changing climate on the global landscape -- Pt. III. interaction between climate and humans -- 7. interaction between climate and humans -- 8. Climate and agriculture -- 9. Climate and our future -- Appendices: The biological background to the story of evolution -- App. A. Evolutionary theory -- App. B. Developmental evolution -- App. C. Human adaptability: the physiological foundation. "The Climate Connection highlights the influence of saltatory evolution and rapid climate change on human evolution, migration and behavioural change. Growing concern over the potential impacts of climate change on our future is clearly evident. In order to better understand our present circumstances and deal effectively with future climate change, society needs to become more informed about the historical connection between climate and humans. The authors' combined research in the fields of climate change, evolutionary biology, Earth sciences and human migration and behaviour complement each other, and have facilitated an innovative and integrated approach to the human evolution - climate connection." "The Climate Connection provides an in-depth text linking 135 000 years of climate change with human evolution and implications for our future, for those working and interested in the field and those embarking on upper-level courses on this topic."--BOOK JACKET.