root-book

Crisis after crisis, humanity had been on the brink of self-annihilation for almost four centuries. First climate change brought huge natural catastrophes and mass migrations. Then were the two world wars following it that killed billions, further worsening the climate and rendering almost half of the planet uninhabitable. This finally made the climate collapse, causing what came to be known as the Meltdown: extreme equatorial temperatures released greenhouse gases trapped in both the soil and rocks of the uninhabitable zones, creating a feedback loop that rapidly expanded the danger zones and reduced the oxygen levels. Draconian measures were taken under the banner of the hastily formed United Earth Government. Atmospheric and oceanic geo-engineering, massive reforestation programs, strict bans on private transportation and polluting industrial processes, and forced relocation of most of the remaining population into arcologies were some examples. It was halfway through the 24th century that humanity finally escaped its executioner by the skin of their teeth.