Just as importantly, no other theory has emerged that accounts for the changes we are experiencing in our atmosphere.
No. That's wrong. What you should have said is that "no other theory has emerged that I accept". Other theories
have emerged.
The FACT is the sun is by far the single most powerful driving force on our climate, and the fact is we do not understand how it affects us as much as some think we do.
Prevailing theories supporting the anthro model generally agree that the Sun had a major influence on climate change for most of the 20th century, but that it's influence paled in comparison to our own in the past 20 or 50 years; while the Sun showed a significant warming trend for over 150 years!
Temperatures increased from 1975 to 1998. From about 1990 onward the Sun has shown a downward trend in temperature (albeit it's sunspot cycle is for reasons unknown now stronger and shorter and, technically speaking, its magnetic field leakage is weaker and its cosmic ray shielding effect stronger).
However- with the exception of 2010, NOAA has stated that since 1998 global temperatures have stalled. So, temperatures increased as the Suns temperature and activity increased, and when it peaked in activity about 1990, within a few years global warming stalled. A coincidence? You betcha! A connection? Probably!
To basically plug your ears and shout down any other theory or explanation is just ridiculous! Again, anthro supporters play the numbers game citing the number of scientists supporting their theories, which is fine I guess if that helps them win an argument. But hell, prevailing wisdom once thought the world was flat too.
My OPINION is that the inherent danger I see with this whole thing is the politicizing of this issue. We've even seen many people who can't even get grant money (always follow the money first) who not necessarily disagree, but who simply question the science behind this issue. AND there are those who would like for us to simply return to the damn stone age basically when it comes to our energy policies globally, and they have a huge voice in this issue (albeit they are small in number for sure).
I'm ALL for finding alternative energy sources for cleaner air, water, environment, no dependence of foreign oil, reduced pollution, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. But DO NOT tell me it has to be done through penalizing people, or denying people energy at all, because were blaming us for climate shifts and changes that we might not be responsible for and we certainly don't yet fully understand!
Also, I'm not as quick to shout that the sky is falling, and IF we find out it is indeed NOT, risking setting science back on it's ass for a 100 years because the "sheeple" will then choose to ignore the "scientific community" at large for other things because of lack of credibility over getting this one wrong.
Now, I won't change your mind, and you won't change mine on this issue on this message board, so attacking my points, producing someones stats that are sure to support your
THEORY, and calling me a "conspiracy theorist" won't do any good really, but to say there are NOT any other theories is really rather absurd wouldn't you say?