The sun is unusually quiet as it begins to enter an expected solar maximum. Every eleven years the sun normally goes through a solar cycle and by now it should be ratcheting up activity, but instead it’s holding an uncharacteristic two-year calm. The last cycle peaked in 2001, and this one should peak in 2012. The cycle alternates between minimum and maximum solar activity. Maximums are characterized by an increases in sunspots and solar flares which adversely affect satellite technology, and even regional power grids here on earth. This is one of the reasons why scientists pay close attention to the sun. Another reason for close observation is that both the solar minimums and the maximums also drive climate patterns.1
The last time a solar maximum remained flat for an extremely long period the earth experienced the little ice age which occurred approximately from 1350 through 1850. There is no way to accurately forecast how long the current phase of solar inactivity will continue, but if it lasts for another period of 50 years, as it did when it ushered in the little ice age, New York Harbor could freeze over again, and shorter growing seasons might produce famines, as happened in Europe, again.
Nevertheless, the theory of anthropogenic global warming will not go quietly into the freezer. Some scientists persist in their contention that, come what may, humans will still be causing global warming. It will just be chilling in the background; sort of doing something, but not really doing anything. Sort of like now.
Notes:
1. Science Daily, “Sun Goes Longer Than Normal Without Producing Sunspots,” Science Daily, Jun 9, 2008.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609124551.htm
