Sunspots do not cause climate change, say scientists
Key claim of global warming sceptics debunked

By Steve Connor, Science Editor
Monday, 14 December 2009SHARE PRINTEMAILTEXT SIZE NORMALLARGEEXTRA LARGE
PHOTO BY UNIMEDIA INTERNATIONAL/REX FEATURES
Leading experts say solar cycles cannot account for current global warming



Leading scientists, including a Nobel Prize-winner, have rounded on studies used by climate sceptics to show that global warming is a natural phenomenon connected with sunspots, rather than the result of the man-made emissions of carbon dioxide.

The researchers – all experts in climate or solar science – have told The Independent that the scientific evidence continually cited by sceptics to promote the idea of sunspots being the cause of global warming is deeply flawed.

Studies published in 1991 and 1998 claimed to establish a link between global temperatures and solar activity – sunspots – and continue to be cited by climate sceptics, including those who attended an "alternative" climate conference in Copenhagen last week.

UK Independent