Contrary to the doom and gloom scenarios that environmentalists propound, both evidence and theory suggest that global warming would in general be beneficial, Simple logic indicates that most of modern humankind's activities would be unaffected by a warming of five to nine degrees Fahrenheit. Agriculture and some services might actually benefit. Moreover, past history shows two periods that were significantly warmer than today, and during both eras mankind flourished. The first epoch, which has been dubbed by climatologists the "Climatic optimum," brought temperatures that were as warm as the median prediction for the next century. During this period, Homo Sapiens shifted from surving in small tribes through hunting and gathering to settled farming communities and from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. During the second warming, the "little climate optimum, " Europe enjoyed the High Middle Ages and went on one of the largest building sprees ever recorded.