By James B. Hofrenning
The historical record contradicts the assertions of your article "Why Hotter is Harmful" (Star Tribune, Dec. 18). In fact, just the opposite has happened. Mankind has flourished in warm periods and suffered catastrophic famines and epidemics in cold phases.
The Roman Warming (200 B.C. to 600 A.D.) provided abundant crops throughout the empire. They grew wine grapes in Britain. Grain from North Africa was imported to Rome. The cold Dark Ages (600 to 950 A.D.) followed, with unstable weather and famine.
A warm period began about 950 (the Medieval Warming) and lasted until about 1300. The longer growing seasons made for harvests so rich that Britain's population increased from an estimated 1.5 million to 5 million by 1300, while Europe's increased from 40 million to 60 million.
About 1300, the planet shifted to the Little Ice Age. Famine and pestilence recurred throughout the period, reducing the population of Britain from 5 million to 4 million. Life expectancy dropped by 10 years.
The Earth began to warm again about the middle of the 19th century, a trend that is probably continuing today, with ever-increasing abundance of all that sustains life.
History indicates that a shift back to a cold period will inevitably happen, and that will be a time to fear.