Seeing the Light

Solar cycles have been cited by some experts as one plausible explanation for climate change. But this explanation doesn't generate research grant windfalls, empower government regulators or keep Al Gore in the headlines, so it doesn't get much play.

Here's a key quote from this story about an upsurge in solar flares:

"With solar activity expected to peak around 2013, the Sun is entering a particularly active time and big flares like recent one will likely be common during the next few years."

The phrase "expected to peak" suggests to this layperson and science class slacker that this isn't an isolated flare-up, but part of a cycle, which may be approaching a crescendo. If this activity can inflict all the Earthly damage described in the linked article, might it not also be responsible for relatively sudden or seemingly-dramatic temperature fluctuations on Earth?

Nah. Couldn't be. Just doesn't fit with the human-bashing narrative that eco-masochists prefer.