Producer Rachel Hooper "The empire of climate is the first, the most powerful, of all empires." - Montesquieu

Belfast-based geographer, Professor David Livingstone aims to radically change the way we think about the weather outside our window. Rather than a polite conversation opener, he argues it is its very own empire which has had a profound influence on the way we think about ourselves and our societies worldwide.

In this 5 part series he will explore the ways climate has exerted this imperial power over us. From its impact on our understanding of the human body to an examination of how climate has in turn powerfully influenced the body politic in ways rarely ever considered.

A BBC Northern Ireland production.

Press

"These were fascinating little programmes, quarter-hour nuggetty chunks nudged along nicely by Livingstone's soft Ulster burr and the kind of relaxed delivery that would be ruined by media training."

Chris Maume, The Independent, 5.12.10