Maggie's Farm

Perhaps the most famous period of low sunspot activity was the Maunder Minimum of the 17th century.

During that time, there was a ‘little ice age’ when the Thames froze over, although researchers believe that global warming will stop this happening again.

. . . Last year, a scientist claimed the chilling effect on the lack of sunspots could actually save us from global warming –

. . . Valentina Zharkova, a professor of mathematics at Northumbria University, published a paper which contains ‘the first serious prediction of a reduction of solar activity that might affect human lives’.

‘I hope global warming will be overridden by this effect, giving humankind and the Earth 30 years to sort out our pollution,’ she said.

Michael Brown, an associate professor of astronomy at Monash University in Australia, said the Maunder Minimum could have been caused by other factors including the eruptions of volcanos.

. . . He does not believe a mini Ice Age is enough to save us from manmade climate change.

‘There is 40% more of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the air now than during the 17th century, and global temperature records are being smashed,’ he said.

‘A new Maunder Minimum would slow climate change, but it is not enough to stop it.’