Interesting dialogue on Climate!!! I don't have much to add to that but I appreciate the links and opportunities for learning.
I do, however, have some info to contribute on the fig situation. I currently live in SLC Utah, which is called USDA zone 7 these days, though it was zone 6 on old maps. It's relatively wet in the winter and spring, but we have hot, dry summers. I planted a Chicago Hardy fig in the ground in the Spring 1.5 years ago. It didn't do much last summer, but survived the winter just fine and is growing well this summer. It set a couple small fruits but they haven't ripened; likely won't as it has been frosting the past few mornings. I have a Stella that was living in a pot for the past several years, including last winter outside, in a sunny spot on the south side of my house, with mulch packed around the pot. So it was getting winter sun and likely some residual heat escaping from the house. I also had a Brown Turkey in a pot next to it last winter, I had just ordered it in the Fall, so it was brand new, likely only a year old from cutting. Both of those survived and are now planted out in my yard and have been growing pretty well this summer. I think the low last winter was 6 degrees F (at the airport, but likely a couple degrees colder at my house), which is around normal, but on the warm side. It's not entirely uncommon to get down to around -5 or -10, so it's possible the figs wouldn't survive that. I'm sure I'll find out eventually!