Isolated flares notwithstanding, following an unusually low and lengthy solar minimum, according to the results of three studies, it now seems the SolarMax of 2012 will be much lower than “normal”, leading some scientists to believe we are about to encounter a new Maunder Minimum. The Maunder Minimum coincides with a period in our history known as the Little Ice Age.
http://www.space.com/11960-fading-sunspots-slower-solar-activity-solar-cycle.html
http://tucsoncitizen.com/wryheat/2010/09/15/declining-sunspots-may-trigger-strong-cooling-period/
BillKeane Perceptions 