
How Did Climate Change Affect The Vikings?
Share
It’s long been assumed that Nordic settlements were abandoned because of increasingly colder temperatures. However recent research suggests that the Vikings' disappearance had far less to do with the cold and more with a different climate shift: drought. While the overall changing climate undoubtedly played a role, it was the extended periods of dry weather that likely disrupted farming, water supplies, and food resources. This created harsh conditions for the Vikings, who depended on stable agriculture for survival. The idea that drought might have been a driving force behind their departure has been largely overlooked, but it offers a more plausible explanation for why these once-thriving settlements were eventually abandoned.

The Climatic Changes that Led to the End of the Vikings
Centuries ago, settlements in northern lands, such as Greenland, grew steadily. By the 15th century, the population reached about 2,000. However, these settlements began to depopulate soon after. Early studies pointed to various factors, including climate change, poor management, economic collapse, and social inequality.
Temperature shifts have long been blamed for the end of the Vikings. The prevailing theory suggests that the Vikings arrived during a warm period, only to be hit by colder temperatures during the Little Ice Age.
However, new research from the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst challenges this. By analyzing historical temperature and climate data, the study found that Greenland’s summers actually became warmer and drier during the period the Viking settlements were abandoned. The research suggests that drought, not cold, may have been the key factor behind the Vikings' disappearance.
How Drought Changed the Viking Diet and Survival
Drought played a key role in the decline of Viking settlements in Greenland, impacting their food supply and way of life. While minor temperature shifts occurred, increasingly dry conditions had a greater effect by reducing grazing land and limiting farming.
Early settlers thrived in Greenland’s relatively mild climate, raising livestock and growing crops. However, as droughts worsened, smaller harvests made it difficult to produce enough feed for animals. Without adequate food, livestock numbers declined, forcing the Vikings to rely more on seafood.
Fishing and hunting at sea, though a Viking tradition, became riskier and less reliable. This shift in diet, combined with environmental challenges like rising sea levels and spreading epidemics, made survival increasingly difficult.
Unable to sustain their settlements, many Vikings migrated in search of better living conditions. Over time, drought and food shortages contributed to the abandonment of their Greenland colonies, marking the end of their presence in the region.
Climate Change Reshapes Our Living Spaces
Greenland faces a growing threat from drought, much like the one that contributed to the Vikings' disappearance centuries ago. In 2008, a severe drought in the south reduced hay and silage production by 50%, affecting the entire population.
Droughts also struck in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019, making them the worst summer dry spells in 70 years. Unlike in the past, imported hay now prevents livestock from starving—an option unavailable to 15th-century Greenlanders.
Yet, climate change continues to take its toll. In 2021, the Greenland ice cap lost more mass in summer than it gained in winter, with global warming accelerating. A striking example came when rain, not snow, fell for the first time at the Summit weather station, 3,200 meters above sea level.
While no single factor, including climate change, solely ended Viking civilization, rising temperatures today, as in the past, will shape the fate of societies.
The Role of Trade and Resource Scarcity in the Viking Decline
As drought worsened in Greenland, the Vikings faced not only local food shortages but also disruptions in trade. The Norse settlers relied on imports of essential goods such as iron, timber, and grains from Iceland and mainland Europe. However, as climate conditions shifted, these trade routes became less reliable. Sea ice and storms made voyages more dangerous, limiting the flow of resources crucial for survival.
Without a steady supply of materials needed for shipbuilding, tools, and daily living, the Vikings found it increasingly difficult to sustain their settlements. As their economic connections weakened and survival became more challenging, migration became a necessary option, leading to the eventual abandonment of their Greenland colonies.
Lessons from the Past: Adapting to a Changing Climate
The Vikings' struggle with climate change offers a valuable lesson for modern societies facing similar challenges. Their inability to adapt to prolonged droughts and resource shortages contributed to their decline. Today, as climate change accelerates, societies must prioritize sustainable agricultural practices, water management, and resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions.
Greenland’s current climate challenges highlight the ongoing need for adaptation strategies. Unlike the Vikings, modern technology allows for better forecasting, resource management, and climate-responsive policies. Learning from history, societies today can implement proactive solutions to withstand environmental shifts and ensure long-term survival.

Viking Artifacts: Weapons, Jewelry, and Their Decline
Viking weapons, earrings, and rings provide insights into their culture, trade, and economic struggles, especially as climate change impacted their survival. Weapons such as swords, axes, and spears were essential for protection and hunting, but they required iron—a resource the Vikings imported from Europe. As trade routes became unreliable due to worsening drought and harsh sea conditions, access to iron diminished, making it difficult to replace or repair weapons.
Jewelry, including intricate earrings and rings made of silver and bronze, was not just decorative but also served as currency in the Norse trade. However, as Greenland's economy weakened due to failing agriculture and disrupted trade, acquiring these precious metals became more difficult. This decline in material wealth reflects the broader struggles the Vikings faced—without stable food supplies and trade networks, their settlements became unsustainable.
The loss of essential resources, from weapons for survival to jewelry that symbolized economic strength, highlights how climate change contributed to weakening Viking society. As their ability to trade and sustain their way of life declined, so too did their presence in Greenland, leading to their eventual disappearance.
Conclusion
The decline of Viking settlements in Greenland highlights the severe impact of climate change on human survival. While colder temperatures were once thought to be the primary cause, recent research suggests that prolonged drought played a far greater role. Water shortages, failing crops, and dwindling trade resources made life unsustainable, ultimately forcing the Vikings to abandon their settlements. Even their clothing and dress had to adapt to shifting climates, with heavier wool garments becoming essential for survival in colder conditions.
This historical lesson is relevant today as modern societies face similar climate challenges. Unlike the Vikings, we have advanced technology, global cooperation, and scientific understanding to develop sustainable solutions. By investing in adaptive strategies such as water conservation, resilient agriculture, and climate-responsive infrastructure, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure the long-term survival of our civilizations.
FAQ’s
1. Did colder temperatures make the Vikings disappear?
No, researchers now believe drought played a bigger role than cold temperatures. Extended dry periods disrupted farming, drained water supplies, and reduced food resources, making survival difficult.
2. How did drought affect Viking settlements in Greenland?
Drought shrank grazing land, cut crop production, and left livestock without enough food. As shortages worsened, the Vikings relied more on fishing and hunting, which became risky and unreliable.
3. Did climate change disrupt Viking trade and resources?
Yes, harsh weather, sea ice, and storms blocked trade routes, cutting off essential supplies like timber, iron, and grains. Without these resources, the Vikings struggled to sustain their settlements.
4. What other environmental changes hurt the Vikings?
Rising sea levels, soil erosion, and possible disease outbreaks weakened their communities. With fewer resources and harsher conditions, many Vikings abandoned their settlements.
5. What can we learn from the Vikings' struggle with climate change?
Their failure to adapt highlights the need for sustainable resource management. To avoid similar challenges, societies must build climate resilience, conserve water, and develop adaptive farming.