In order to understand how climate may vary in the future - whether as a result of human activities or of natural fluctuations - we must first understand how and why it has varied in the past. "Climate Since AD 1500" presents a new perspective on the "Little Ice Age" and of the climate of the 20th century. The editors have gathered together over 50 contributors from all over the world to provide as wide a geographical dimension as possible. Leading scientists in their fields, they present climate and meteorological records of climatic variations available for the last 500 years, including research from several areas not previously recorded in an English language volume. These records include: historical documents; long instrumental records; tree rings and ice core records; records based on worldwide current research. Factors that are potentially important in causing climatic changes are also discussed. A postscript has been added since the previous edition to incorporate new research from the vast range of literature published on the subject in the last two years.