The Medieval Warm Period In Germany: Inconvenient And very Real

 The text discusses a new book written by Hans-Joachim Dammschneider about the climate history of the southern Harz region in Germany, focusing on the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). The author analyzes historical weather data and indicates that there were fluctuations in climate long before industrial carbon dioxide levels rose, suggesting alternating warm and cold phases existed throughout history.

The book describes how the MWP, occurring roughly from 950 AD to 1250 AD, resulted in higher temperatures in Germany, promoting agricultural success and population growth. This warm phase was followed by a significant drop in temperature, leading into the Little Ice Age, which had severe effects on agriculture and society.

The IPCC's earlier discussions on the MWP have been less emphasized in recent reports. The current understanding questions whether the MWP was a global event, but various publications point to evidence supporting its occurrence across continents. The warming period is linked to economic and cultural prosperity in Germany, marked by town foundations and agricultural expansion.

Modern climate research uses proxies to deduce past climate conditions, demonstrating that temperatures during the MWP were beneficial for agriculture, indicated by factors such as fig cultivation and successful wine production. The author highlights negative climatic changes that began around 1300 AD, leading to poor harvests, floods, and social upheaval, which added to the hardships experienced by institutions like the Walkenried Monastery.

The book explores how factors such as sunshine duration and sea surface temperatures influenced these climatic variations. It aims to draw connections between past climate events and their impacts on society, particularly looking at the rise and fall of Walkenried Monastery up to the 15th century. The text ultimately emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of climate during the medieval period and its implications for modern climate discussion.

The book by Hans-Joachim Dammschneider, titled "Klimageschichte der Südharzer Klosterlandschaft – Kloster Walkenried," is available for purchase, and the author aims to shed light on the intricate relationships between historical climatic changes and socio-economic developments in medieval Germany. 

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/04/26/the-medieval-warm-period-in-germany-inconvenient-and-very-real/