I've likewise read arguments that AC is linked to the substantial economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, in regions like southern France, south

I've likewise read arguments that AC is linked to the substantial economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, in regions like southern France, southern Japan, and the southern United States. All regions that historically lagged economically behind their culturally and economically similar more northern counterpart regions. Hard to say how much of a factor, but there has to be some truth to it: just imagine productivity in a Texas factory at 40 °C and 90% humidity vs. 25 °C and 50% humidity.