How 56 Million American Deaths Triggered A Mini Ice Age—The Chilling Link Between The ‘Great Dying’ And Climate Change

Forbes - Mar 5th, 2025
Open on Forbes

The catastrophic impact of European diseases on the indigenous populations of the Americas, termed the Great Dying, resulted in the deaths of up to 90% of the continent’s people post-European contact. This mass depopulation left vast areas of farmland abandoned, which were subsequently reclaimed by forests. This reforestation had a significant environmental impact, pulling enough carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to potentially contribute to the onset of the Little Ice Age, a period of global cooling that lasted for centuries.

This event underscores the deep interconnection between human activity and environmental changes. The Little Ice Age was not solely caused by this reforestation but was part of a series of environmental factors, including major volcanic eruptions and reduced solar activity. The story highlights how human absence, alongside natural forces, can influence the planet's climate, serving as a reminder of our profound and often unintended impact on Earth's systems. It raises questions about the role of humanity in shaping the environment and what our presence means for future climate dynamics.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the historical and environmental impacts of the Great Dying. It effectively communicates complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner, making it suitable for a general audience interested in environmental history and climate change. However, the article would benefit from greater transparency and source attribution to enhance its credibility and allow readers to verify the claims made. While it presents a compelling narrative, the lack of diverse perspectives and explicit source references limits its balance and source quality. Overall, the story offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of human history and environmental change, encouraging readers to reflect on the long-term consequences of human actions.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story is generally accurate in its broad strokes but requires more precision in some of its claims. For example, it states that up to 90% of the indigenous population in the Americas died from diseases after European contact, which is a widely accepted estimate, though the exact percentage can vary. The claim that the reforestation of abandoned farmland significantly reduced atmospheric CO2, contributing to the Little Ice Age, is plausible but not universally accepted as the primary cause of the cooling period. The article correctly identifies volcanic eruptions and solar minima as contributors to the Little Ice Age, aligning with accepted scientific understanding. However, the causal link between the Great Dying and the Little Ice Age, while intriguing, is complex and not definitively proven.

6
Balance

The article presents a historical narrative with a focus on the environmental impact of the Great Dying, but it lacks diverse perspectives. It primarily emphasizes the unintended ecological consequences of human absence without delving into the broader socio-political factors or the indigenous perspectives on these events. While it mentions European expansion and the spread of diseases, the narrative could benefit from a more balanced exploration of the indigenous experience and the role of European colonialism.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written and effectively communicates complex historical and environmental concepts in an accessible manner. The narrative is structured logically, with a clear progression from the historical context of European expansion to the environmental consequences of the Great Dying. The language is engaging and descriptive, making the content easy to follow. However, some claims could be more clearly defined, particularly those regarding the causal links between historical events and environmental changes.

5
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite sources or reference scientific studies, which weakens its credibility. While the information aligns with widely discussed historical and scientific concepts, the lack of direct attribution to authoritative sources or experts in the field diminishes the reliability of the claims. Including references to academic research or expert commentary would enhance the story's credibility and provide readers with the opportunity to explore the topic further.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of its sources and methodology. It does not provide information on how the claims were derived or the basis for its assertions about the environmental impacts and historical events. This lack of disclosure makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the information presented. Greater transparency regarding the sources of information and the scientific basis for the claims would improve the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.nsf.gov/news/winter-coming-researchers-uncover-surprising-cause
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ice_Age
  3. https://www.liberatingnarratives.com/skating-owls/
  4. https://climaterealism.com/2024/10/forbes-is-right-that-weather-isnt-getting-more-extreme-wrong-about-other-climate-claims/
  5. https://longreads.com/2017/04/13/in-1975-newsweek-predicted-a-new-ice-age-were-still-living-with-the-consequences/