Rain Before Drought explores the intricate relationship between climate change and the collapse of civilizations throughout history, offering crucial insights for our current environmental challenges. It argues that societies have crumbled not just from wars or political turmoil, but from an inability to adapt to shifting weather patterns like prolonged drought. Examining past societies reveals that even minor changes in rainfall or temperature can destabilize food production and exacerbate social inequalities, ultimately undermining entire civilizations.

The book investigates these collapses through case studies, beginning with paleoclimatology and environmental history. It analyzes examples such as the Mayan civilization, the Anasazi, and the Dust Bowl era, illustrating specific climate changes, affected social systems, and contributing factors to decline.

The book emphasizes that these collapses result from complex interactions between environmental stress, existing social vulnerabilities, and inadequate adaptation. Understanding these historical precedents is vital for developing resilient agricultural systems and managing water resources effectively in the face of contemporary climate change.

Finally, the book examines the implications of these historical examples for contemporary climate adaptation. It advocates for strategies to mitigate social and political risks associated with climate-related displacement and conflict. By presenting a comparative analysis of multiple historical collapses, Rain Before Drought identifies common patterns and critical differences in how societies have responded to climate change, offering a framework for understanding the past and planning for a future increasingly shaped by climate change.