This story was originally published by CityLab and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. In 1748, the French philosopher Montesquieu published The Spirit of the Laws, a survey of political systems that argued for the separation of powers and citizens’ rights to due process. It was quickly translated into multiple languages, and Montesquieu’s ideas about liberty had a strong influence on the framers of the American Constitution. In the book, after discussing taxes and before considering slavery, Montesquieu set out a theory that climate differences help to shape human societies.