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The meteorologist, John Hammond explores the way that science fiction has served as a barometer for our wonder, curiosity and sometimes anxiety about the environment. With expert insight from Sarah Dillon - Professor of Literature and the Public Humanities and Professor of Human Geography, Mike Hulme, we find out how writers imagined – sometimes very accurately – the changing world around them.

Today, we focus on the early decades of the 20th century, a period rich in technological optimism and environmental unease.

First, we hear E.M. Forster’s chillingly prescient 'The Machine Stops';

A world in which people can only communicate through a machine sounds like the internet today. But this story, written in 1909, takes us to a future where the machine has become an all-powerful God.

EM Forster's story dramatised by Gregory Norminton and first broadcast in 2001.

Vashi .... Gemma Jones
Kuno .... John McAndrew
Computer .... Jillie Meers
The Four Voices .... Anne Carroll, Christian Rodska, Connie Walker, Fergus Webster

Director: Jane Morgan
Producer: Marilyn Imrie
Made for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 by Catherine Bailey Productions.

And then we move onto Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s explosive 'Professor Challenger: When The World Screamed';

Conan Doyle's irascible academic sets out on a bold mission to be recognised by Mother Earth, dramatised by Robert Parry and first broadcast in 2011.

Starring Bill Paterson, Gunnar Cauthery, John Rowe, Sally Orrock and Stephen Darcy.

Director: Fiona Kelcher

Changing Climates was presented by John Hammond and produced by Kerry McCarthy for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra.

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