How has ancient china responded differentially to the long and short timescale climate extremes? Case of the drought and heatwave in 1743

Le Tao, Yun Su (), Xudong Chen, Fangyu Tian and Zijian Gong
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Le Tao: Beijing Normal University
Yun Su: Beijing Normal University
Xudong Chen: Beijing Normal University
Fangyu Tian: Beijing Normal University
Zijian Gong: Beijing Normal University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2024, vol. 120, issue 15, No 36, 14625-14647

Abstract: Abstract The frequency of droughts and heatwaves both increased in the context of climate change. However, due to their different time scales, the impacts, as well as the responses of human systems will vary accordingly. Reconstructions of historical extreme events can help understand the mechanisms of human–environment interactions. From a perspective of human–environment system and based on various historical documents, this study examined the quantity, spatial characteristics, and timeframe of the impacts and government response records of the drought and heatwave in 1743. The results are as follows. (1) The impacts of drought propagated hierarchically, with attenuation across different levels of the human–environment system and a shrinking spatial scale; while the heatwave mainly affected the human system; (2) Government responses to drought were diverse and targeted, involving regional interactions and off-site mitigation measures, whereas responses to heatwave were less diverse and mainly on-site; (3) The impact of drought can be transmitted to higher levels of the social system through food security, with serious consequences, the impacts of heatwave end in human systems. This is why governments treat them differently. Technological conditions further limit response behavior to high temperatures.

Keywords: Drought; Heatwave; Ancient China; Human–environment system; Impact and response (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-024-06799-4

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