There are satellites up there looking at nothing else. All day, every day.
What we get from the other end is argumentum ad proxy. Sunspots are their brittlecone pines. I bet, though, that as things warm up over the next two-to-seven years the positive phase of the Solar Cycle will be trotted out in explanation. By at least one of the usual suspects, and by at least two newcomers.
If I'm wrong, I'll eat brittle cone and admit it. If I'm right - well, that's reward enough in itself. I may make mention of it from time to time, of course ...