we made it through august without a solar event. that hasn't happened in more than 100 years. and it could make the debate about global warming moot.the magnetic shield thrown up by the sun helps protect us from cosmic radiation. when the frequency of solar events decline, this radiation increases global cloud cover and causes temperatures to drop. when solar events are low or even nonexistent for an extended period of time, we have an ice age. no big deal - we've had seven or so that we know of, and it's a normal part of the earth's climate cycle. but it would almost certainly mean the end of homo sapiens.
there's still debate over the whole thing, and maybe global warming - which we love Big Macs too much to do anything about - will balance off against it.
either way, it's going to mean some heavy weather for the next hundred years or so. better pack an umbrella.