Scientists and researchers try to reclaim ground over the press’ assumptions by stating that the second Little Ice Age is unlikely to happen. The 17th century had seen some vicious climate changes that led to harsh winters 350 years ago that some have attributed to decreased solar activity.
The areas most affected were Northern America and Europe when the planet underwent a time of reduced solar activity that lasted around 70 years, which vaguely coincided with the “Maunder minimum” and has been deemed as “Little Ice Age”. When aided by a research paper written by Mathematics professor, Valentina Zharkova, on climate change, it sent scientific facts aside and multiplied the number assumptions.
The media has great love of the dramatic and little else is more prone to gain reactions than the impending doom of our planet. A study suggesting that the Sun’s activity will be reaching a low in 2030 has been stated to have been either misinterpreted, gravely flawed or, the worst option, dishonest.
For more than 150 years, scientists have known that the Sun goes through fluctuations in activity and a low truly is impending in between 2030 and 2040. However, they claim that media outlets greatly exaggerated its effect on Earth.
Scientists studying the Sun’s activity along with climate change and weather reports were quick to mention that the effect of the sun reaching the end of one of its cycles will be minimally felt on Earth. Due to gas emissions of the greenhouse effect, the high levels of carbon dioxide will combat the possible change in temperatures.
So, it’s very likely that overall the globe, the drop will not be of more than a few degrees and a second Little Ice Age will not be happening anytime soon.
It is quite possible that the media has dramatized on Zharkova’s study, though while her paper described the Sun’s fluctuation in activity and possible effects, she did also voice her thoughts on global warming by claiming her doubt in its anthropogenic nature.
Needlessly mentioned, the paper garnered a lot of attention from those denying climate change or, at the very least, those who do not believe the general population is the cause of it. The paper gained popularity from both sides as debates were further ensued. Although they never truly ended nor are they likely to come to a consensus anytime soon.
Scientists, however, have mostly left Zharkova isolated in her opinion and attempted to draw attention to other possible explanations for the mini-ice age in 1645. Implying that the Sun’s activity had a much smaller effect, they stated that the drop in temperatures was most likely caused by increased volcanic activity during the time, which resulted in gas and ash bolted into the atmosphere and blocking the Sun.
While Earth is not likely to go through the same circumstances in 2030, it is also unlikely that a second mini-ice age will be happening, so the population is not encouraged to invest more in their winter gear just yet.
Image source: newsweek.comcialis headache
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