What do you think of geomagnetic reversal as the cause for global warming?

Question

I have read that the geomagnetic field has deteriorated by 10-15% over the last hundred or so years....

Since the magnetic field helps protect the earth from the suns radiation...wouldn't this be a plausible idea?

Also, I have read that there has been increased sunspot activity, and even sunspots with reversed polarity.

What is your take on this and could you explain it further?

Answer 1

http://robertkyriakides.wordpress.com/20...

http://muller.lbl.gov/papers/Avalanches_...

Answer 2

No.  In order to explain global warming you need a source of heat.  Since their are two, it will be easy to debunk this theory.

1)  Light from the sun.  We have not seen the sun get brighter, so not related to the magnetic field.  

2)  Energy in the Earth from radioactive decay.  This is rather constant because particle decay in a predictable way.

Also, because the magnetic field has dimmed does not mean we are heading for a reversal.

Answer 3

It might allow more particles to hit the atmosphere but I seriously doubt that would have a significant effect on global warming.   All the extra particles impact with great energy so it could have an effect and it is possible.  There is an increase in temperature during high sunspot activity but I believe the sun is actually brighter at those times.

Answer 4

Where did you hear that geomagnetic fields have deteriorated?

A geomagnetic storm is usually a result of coronal holes emitting solar winds - without any sunspots present.

Study here:

http://spaceweather.com/

The Interplanetary Magnetic Field - It comes from the Sun!

http://spaceweather.com/glossary/imf.htm...

Sunspot activity has almost ceased - which portends a possible ice age.  The 'Wolfe Minimum' which brought cold killed off 25 million. Another similar Minimum today would probably kill off billions.

http://home.earthlink.net/~ponderthemaun...

Answer 5

Not likely. The magnetic poles shift from time to time, they get very weak before a shift but other than birds and other life that has a built-in compass that doesn't affect anything much. Most of what blocks harmful radiation from the sun is in the upper atmosphere in the Van Allen belts, and in the atmosphere itself.

And there is not increased sunspot activity, solar cycle #23 is still barely there while the new cycle, #24, has been almost totally quiet. It's not likely we'll see a big increase anytime soon and the last time there were no sunspots the Earth got very cold, they called it the Little Ice Age it was so cold.

In short, the magnetic field strength has dropped to zero in the past without ending life on Earth, or even causing it serious harm.