The famous frigid British winter of 1946-1947, coming just after an earlier European war, brought coal shortages, electricity blackouts, frozen crops and farm animals, and more rationing. When the snow melted in March, floods brought further misery. The pound was devalued, and the Labour Party lost 78 seats in the next election. Today, Europe’s economy, energy security and even foreign policy again hinges on the weather.
It has been a tough…