Final answer:
The Little Ice Age was likely caused by volcanic eruptions and shifts in the Earth's orbit, leading to a decrease in global temperatures, with volcanic aerosols reflecting sunlight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Little Ice Age, a period of global cooling during the fourteenth century, may have been caused by volcanic eruptions and changes in the Earth's orbit. These factors released sulfate particles into the atmosphere, which reflected solar energy back into space, causing a mean global temperature decrease and a host of environmental consequences. While reduced solar activity has been suggested as a cause, there is no satisfactory model to support this, making volcanic activity and orbital changes more plausible explanations for this historical climatic event.