Final answer:
The Little Ice Age is considered by many scientists to be responsible for the recent cold winters in Europe and North America, caused by factors such as low solar activity, altered ocean circulations, and volcanic eruptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many scientists now believe that the Little Ice Age pattern is responsible for the recent cold winters in Europe and North America. Throughout history, climatic shifts like the Little Ice Age have had significant impacts on global temperatures and weather patterns.
This era, happening between the 17th and 19th centuries, was a period of cooler temperatures which may have been caused partially by several factors including low solar activity, known as the Maunder Minimum from 1645 to 1715, anomalous ocean circulation patterns, and volcanic eruptions increasing the amount of aerosols in the atmosphere.
In the context of modern climate, similar phenomena could alter weather patterns and lead to colder winters. However, it is also critical to consider current climate change trends, which are predominantly driven by human activities resulting in greenhouse gas emissions, and their complex interplay with natural variability.