# global warming or ICE AGE **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [April 28, 2006, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-or-ice-age/354569 "2006-04-28T09:43:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![awarakomski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@awarakomski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awarakomski)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-or-ice-age/354569/1 "2006-04-28T09:43:22Z")
dear mr c your and all the others avoid one objective fact. the mother ship’s orbit is entering a region where solar radiation will diminish. as it has on a regular cyclical basis like clock work. indeed the next ice age has started only the ice is overdue. why? because our release of so called green house gases thwarts its formation. so i say burn all the hydrocarbons and fart. we need the carbon diqxide and methane. alas we can only put the ice off for a while. every one should move to the equator as soon as possible the ice is coming and it is overdue. awarakomski ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-or-ice-age/354569/2 "2006-04-28T10:25:44Z")
The Earth’s orbit is entering a region in the _galaxy_ where there will be stuff between the sun and Earth? We’re in the minor [Orion arm](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_Arm) currently, and no major differences are expected for many millions of years yet. Or are you talking about the cycle of the [sun itself](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_variation) (which has nothing to do with where the Earth is in its year-long orbit around it)? These variations aren’t large enough to bring about an ice-age every 11 years, either. As we say around here: please _cite_ your reference. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-or-ice-age/354569/3 "2006-04-28T12:31:34Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **awarakomski** , we’re glad to have you with us. When you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers if you provide a link to the column in question. Saves search time and helps keep us all on the same page. In this case, it’s [Is global warming real?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060407.html) Just so you’ll know for next time. And, as I say, welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-or-ice-age/354569/4 "2006-04-28T13:30:35Z")
I’m sticking right where I am. It means Texas will be the new Canada. At last, perfection in Austin – great people, beautiful landscape, and now excellent weather! ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-or-ice-age/354569/5 "2006-05-02T19:15:01Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > Or are you talking about the cycle of the [sun itself](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_variation) (which has nothing to do with where the Earth is in its year-long orbit around it)? These variations aren’t large enough to bring about an ice-age every 11 years, either. I **did** read somewhwere that there’s some astronomical evidence that the sun’s current wattage output is about 1% higher than it was a century ago. And, of course, sunspot cycles vary from 8 years to 15 years, and the sun’s energy output tends to be higher during those sunspot cycles that are shorter than it is during those sunspot cycles that are longer.