Next Solar Cycle Could Bring Cooler Temperatures

Written by Dr David Whitehouse

A former BBC science correspondent says that there remains a real possibility that unusual solar behavior could influence the Earth’s climate, bringing cooler temperatures for the next decade.

Despite rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the reduction in solar activity along with cooling from other long-term terrestrial climate variables could mean we might see a slowdown in global warming for years.

Dr. Whitehouse says:

“It is clear that the solar influence on climate is about 0.1 °C a decade so it is important to know when there are low solar activity periods. We have a grasp of the basic mechanism that drives long-term solar activity, but many of the specifics still elude us. Successful predictions of solar cycle strength are therefore few and far between.”

Whitehouse adds that although NASA is predicting that solar cycle 25, which is just beginning, might be moderate-to-weak, the possibility of a very weak cycle, with a measurable effect on the terrestrial climate, remains a real one.

Dr. Whitehouse reviews the history of solar cycle predictions in a new paper by the Global Warming Policy Foundation which is published today.

The paper, entitled The Next Solar Cycle, And Why It Matters For Climate, can be downloaded here (pdf).

PRINCIPIA SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, legally registered in the UK as a company incorporated for charitable purposes. Head Office: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX.

Please DONATE TODAY To Help Our Non-Profit Mission To Defend The Scientific Method.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Reddit

Print

Email

More

Telegram

Pinterest



WhatsApp

Pocket



Skype

Tumblr





Related