[justa-hairyape]

(By the way, a (probably *the*) major factor in determing the flux of cosmic rays impinging on the earth is solar activity, which modifies the magnetosphere that partially screens the earth from those cosmic rays)

The affects of cosmic rays actually magnify the affects of solar activity changes. When the sun is more active, less clouds form on the Earth, which allows more solar energy into the biosphere. When the sun is less active, more clouds form on the Earth, which allows less solar energy into the biosphere. So the sun is the dominate factor when you are talking climate change. Most of us already knew that anyway. The underlying science of this study, just magnifies the effects.

[aruanan]

(By the way, a (probably *the*) major factor in determing the flux of cosmic rays impinging on the earth is solar activity, which modifies the magnetosphere that partially screens the earth from those cosmic rays)

Another is the earth's rapidly decaying magnetic field, down 10% over 150 years ago. So a decrease in solar activity and a decreasing magnetic field combine to increase cloud formation, increasing albedo and cooling off the earth.