[RightWhale]

There isn't much science to decide one way or the other or how much. One way to reduce CO2 and H2O emissions and not break the bank -- nuclear power plants. Solar cells ought to be getting almost reasonable in price in the next few years, too.

The Kyoto Treaty also should wait for another 10-20 years of data before they jump off the cliff without looking. It's more politics than science.

[StopGlobalWhining]

In the late 1600's through early 1700's the sun went "quiet" and the observed sunspots fell to only a few, even during the active part of the cycle. This is now known as the "Maunder Minimum".

In the book "The Little Ice Age" by Brian Fagan, (ISBN 0-465-02271-5), on page 120 he lists the years of the Maunder Minimum as from 1645 - 1715. On page 113 he calls 1680-1730 the coldest cycle of the Little Ice Age, and the growing season in England was about five weeks shorter than it was during the twentieth century's warmest decades.

Just a coincidence?

Anyone who thinks erratic climate shifts are human caused should read "The Little Ice Age". We are in an unusual period of climatic stability these days, and the horrors of the suffering that occurred from cold and famine just a few hundred years ago are something mankind should fear for the future.

Then again, the Medieval Warm Period from around 900 to 1200 was pretty comfortable, about 3 degrees C (5.4 F) warmer than today. Warm enough for the Vikings to sail from Iceland to Greenland and Labrador. And raise grapes in Greenland.