I watched an Horizon program on the BBC last night, and I have to say this does indeed seem to be a very serious issue. The fact that weird data in some entirely different fields now all is coming together, all appearing to lead to the same conclusion, means this should be front page news.
Like many I have been sceptical about global warming, but these global dimming data precisely explain the connections between weather pattern shifts, including droughts, larger clouds with less rain, very large changes in surface solar radiation and in evaporation rates. And they also precisely explain the inconsistencies in the global warming data.
The data and the scientists are in completely different fields, all of whom have for years been collecting seemingly bizarre data that people refused to believe because the changes were too large. But now all the seemingly disconnected facts all come together in a perfect fit. And all the most recent studies are now confirming the connection. This is very important and can no longer be ignored. As a world we must act. Not to will be pure stupidity. I recommend people search for global dimming on Google, and there are some excellent articles.
Have you had a chance to study paleoclimatologic cycles? If not, I wouldn't be so concerned. These are natural patterns of which we really have no control. 1 major volcanic eruption does more "harm" than all of mankind put together. Short of a major nuclear exchange mankind has little effect.
Also, correlations can be tricky things. There was a 30 year study in England that recently was able to show that men that shave every day live considerably longer than men that don't. Does that mean that cutting whiskers has some biological effect that extends ones lifespan? Women do live longer than men, and since women don't have the facial hair of men, this seems to support the conclusion supporting the dangers of facial hair. Or do you suppose that men that don't shave everyday are men without jobs that sit around at the local pub smoking cigarettes and drinking beer all day?