There are many scientists who claim that human emissions of carbon dioxide are warming the Earth through a greenhouse effect, but there is another camp of scientists who are pointing towards the heavens in the search for what drives the Earth’s climate. The Sun is the source of all energy for planet Earth, and ironically the greenhouse effect is just a model in which a little bit more of the Sun’s radiation is trapped in the atmosphere by certain gases. Over the last year there has been news that the Sun is acting in an unexpected way and that could have big consequences here on Earth.

There is evidence that global temperatures dropped by as much as 0.65C between January of 2007 and January of 2008. These data alone are not particularly useful, but they correspond with an unusual drop in solar activity. Reduced solar activity could mean a reduction in the amount of solar energy that enters the climate system of the Earth, and a reduction in solar wind could allow more cosmic rays to enter the Earth’s atmosphere, which may increase cloud formation according to laboratory tests.

There is also anecdotal evidence that many places may be headed for a cold winter this year. Here in New England, 3-6 inches of snowfall are being forecast in some areas over the next couple of days and parts of upstate New York may see 12 or more inches this week. That seems like a very unusual amount of snowfall for October, especially when one considers that some scientists are claiming that the Earth is in the middle of an unprecedented warming period.

A lot of people are going to say that global warming can cause cooler temperatures and greater snow fall in certain areas, but I have a feeling that global warming hysteria may go the way of global cooling craze of the 1970’s as the story unfolds. I’m not a climate scientist, and I don’t claim to understand everything that affects global climate. However, it seems like historic climate shifts such as the Little Ice Age could not have been produced by man, and therefore indicate that climate fluctuates naturally.

Just because some scientists endorse a theory, doesn’t mean that it’s right. History shows that scientific consensus can be terribly off base. Like the ancient Greeks, who gave us the idea that by bleeding a sick person one could balance their humors and restore them to health. It is possible that current “cures” to global warming may not be needed and may possibly be counter productive. Greatly slashing the use of fossil fuels and energy consumption is not cost free. It will in fact have a great impact on the world economy. Only time will tell which theory of climate change is correct, but if the proponents of cooling are correct we may know before too long.