Its Time To Prepare For Another Dalton Minimum

It is forty three days and counting since the last spot was seen on the face of the sun. The increasing length of this cycle is becoming very similar to the solar cycles preceding the Dalton Minimum in the late 1700s and early 1800's. A period of time often described in the writings of Charles Dickens as filled with extreme cold and snow.

In fact, the history of solar observation clearly shows a close relationship between the length of the solar cycle and subsequent global temperatures. The solar cycle averages eleven years in length but shorter solar cycles have resulted in warmer global temperatures while longer cycles mean much colder times are ahead. There have been short solar cycles for much of the twentieth century but the length of the average cycle has now begun to change.

As a result, an increasing number of solar scientists have started to forecast much colder times in the decades immediately ahead. The most recent study sounding the colder climate warning alarm was released a few months ago, in February 2009. The title of the study was called "Forecasting the Parameters of Sunspot Cycle 24 and Beyond".

The research paper of C. de Jager, and S. Duhau was released in the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics and observed that solar activity "is presently undergoing a transition from the recent Grand Maximum to another regime". The study predicted conditions similar to another Dalton Minimum in the decades ahead and concludes that lower solar activity may occur for the next 60 to 100 years.

Still, global politicians prepare to dramatically increase the cost of energy in a dubious attempt to save the world from man-made global warming. There is no political preparation for a colder climate outcome even though the current lack of activity of the sun may mean that there will be colder times in the years ahead.

The result of expensive government regulations to prevent global warming as the climate dramatically cools by as much as five degrees Fahrenheit will certainly increase the cost of energy. Expect much higher prices to heat the home, to power a car, and for all means of travel due to the problem of increasing cold.

In addition, an increase in the price of food due to a shorter growing season will result from the increased cold of the next Dalton minimum. In some years during the last Dalton Minimum (1790 - 1820), crops wilted in the fields because of the cold and wet conditions.

The lack of political planning for a cold climate outcome will result in food rationing, especially beef. Since bringing beef to market is very energy intensive, a dramatic price spike or a shortage is the likely outcome.

Scheduled blackouts may become common due to the increased energy demand as people seek refuge from the extreme cold and heat their homes to try to keep warm. While solar panels, and wind farms will increase in use, alternative sources will not offset the increased global demand of energy from the next Dalton Minimum.

Of course, you will not hear about these problems from the mainstream media or the career politician. The hype of man-made global warming from CO2 gas sells magazines, makes for highly rated television specials and fills political re-election coffers.

However, the blank sun and the increasing length of the current solar cycle have a unique, historical correlation to global weather and temperature. The sun is now as quiet as it has been in over one hundred years. The lesson of history from the observations of centuries of solar cycles is clear. Its time to prepare for the cold of another Dalton Minimum.