The Little Ice Age Analysis

Unpredictable climatic shifts described by Brian Fagan in “The Little Ice Age” had a large impact European history from 1300 through 1850, marked by significant temperature drops and turbulent weather. During this time, families suffered after the weather ruined agricultural crops and caused fish to stay further south, in turn negatively affecting economies. The wet summers and cold winters also aided in the spread of epidemics. The failing crop harvests as well as flopping fishing territories. Brian Fagan demonstrates the unique implications the Little Ice Age had on history, finding interesting connections between weather patterns and events. English farms and Scandinavian fisheries took particularly hard hits when the Little Ice Age ruined their products. During the coldest shift of the era, English growing seasons shortened and Scandinavian fish turned to warmer, southern waters. Between the years 1680 and 1730, the coolest cycle affected more than just Europe it was felt by the whole world. Hungry and cold, the poor populations struggled to survive. Sea ice blocked ships from importing and exporting goods to and from coastal ports. In addition, those living in valley villages feared the advancing glaciers. The “high tide of …show more content…
Scientists remain on the search for the answer to just how much human interference has played in the recent warming period. Since the industrial revolution, scientists have discovered “that production of electricity using coal and petroleum, and other uses of fossil fuels in transportation and industry, affects our environment in ways we did not understand before.” The dramatic increase of carbon dioxide and methane, gasses that absorb heat, in the atmosphere has a direct correlation to the rise in temperatures, making it more obvious that humans are contributing to global