Obviously I'm taking this opportunity to point my tounge at the Al Gore's of the world:

According to NASA, we're in a trough of solar activity, and it will begin it's next cycle this year. The peak of this next cycle is expected to be a bit lower then that last cycle. According to the rocket scientists:
Low solar activity has a profound effect on Earth’s atmosphere, allowing it to cool and contract
Normally I'd say thank you Captain Obvious - but considering how many political and scientific careers have been made stating that CO2 concentration is a stronger factor than this, I guess I won't.


http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2...prediction.htm