Question

How can sunspots affect Earth’s climate?

An increase in sunspots could cause an increase in Earth’s temperature.
The magnetic pull of sunspots could change the shape of Earth’s orbit.
A decrease in sunspots could cause an increase in Earth’s temperature.
Sunspots can contribute to the buildup of greenhouse gases.

Answer 1

Only the first statement is correct.

1. An increase in sunspots could cause an increase in Earth’s temperature. — True. Periods of many sunspots coincide with higher overall solar activity (more faculae and higher total solar irradiance). The solar cycle changes TSI by only about ~0.1%, but that small change can slightly warm or cool Earth.

2. The magnetic pull of sunspots could change the shape of Earth’s orbit. — False. Sunspots are localized magnetic features on the Sun’s surface and do not exert any appreciable force on Earth’s orbit. Orbital changes are driven by gravitational interactions, not solar surface magnetism.

3. A decrease in sunspots could cause an increase in Earth’s temperature. — False. Fewer sunspots generally mean lower solar output and tend to cool, not warm, Earth (e.g., the Maunder Minimum is linked to cooler climate).

4. Sunspots can contribute to the buildup of greenhouse gases. — False. Sunspots do not produce greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere; greenhouse-gas buildup is driven by terrestrial processes (mainly human emissions of CO2, CH4, etc.).

Note: Solar variability does affect climate on small scales, but the magnitude of recent global warming is far larger and mainly due to increased greenhouse gases from human activity.