Solar activity not a key cause of climate change, study shows

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-12/uoe-san122013.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 22-Dec-2013

Contact: Catriona Kelly
University of Edinburgh

Climate change has not been strongly influenced by variations in heat from the sun, a new scientific study shows

Climate change has not been strongly influenced by variations in heat from the sun, a new scientific study shows.

The findings overturn a widely held scientific view that lengthy periods of warm and cold weather in the past might have been caused by periodic fluctuations in solar activity.

Research examining the causes of climate change in the northern hemisphere over the past 1000 years has shown that until the year 1800, the key driver of periodic changes in climate was volcanic eruptions. These tend to prevent sunlight reaching the Earth, causing cool, drier weather. Since 1900, greenhouse gases have been the primary cause of climate change.

The findings show that periods of low sun activity should not be expected to have a large impact on temperatures on Earth, and are expected to improve scientists' understanding and help climate forecasting.

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