Temperatures were steadily declining from at least roughly 1280, though it didn't reach the point of being termed "little ice age" until later. If changes to n

Temperatures were steadily declining from at least roughly 1280, though it didn't reach the point of being termed "little ice age" until later. If changes to native burning due to contact-spread diseases are to be responsible, it wouldn't make sense for the temperatures to be declining for 250 years or more prior to contact.