Dennis, I'd be interested in what the other scientists comments are on this, and either who they are or what their qualifications are (for example, are they oil company geologists?). I'm highly skeptical of your link. I googled them and their company web site is linked. They seem to be a private company and to be very proud of a building and of a parking lot. They may well be reputable and smart and all that, but perhaps not; they can say whatever they want. For argument, let's just say they are correct and the sun will shut down to the extent of the Maunder minimum/little ice age. I think this decrease in solar radiation would be overwhelmed by the increased greenhouse effect of CO2, especially if we manage to double pre-industrial levels (from 280 ppm to, say, 560).

Would I have been as skeptical if the same people and same company had just said that decrease in solar activity would slighty moderate the effects of climate change? No. Remember that I posted a while ago someone's quote that extraodinary claims require extraordinary evidence. I don't think it is even a given at all that solar activity will be less this new cycle..I vaguely recall that I've seen differing predictions on this.
Chris

• Space and Science Research Center