Dear @samstonehill,

I would recommend to read through the following web pages:
https://skepticalscience.com/
https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/

In regards to sun spots: This will just be a much much smaller effect than overall global warming...
but you will find it all very properly explained on those web pages...

in regards to @bloom .. I understand your feelings.. however you have to see that people as him and me who for decades try to bring global warming science to the public just feel tired of hearing the same wrong claims by non scientists (the sources you are referring to are either not written by climate scientists or long outdated )over and over again..
also I have to give you credit that you made a very nice post...
maybe you find the links useful and let them impact your knowledge base a bit.. as you seem to be a caring and engaged person...
You have however a point in aiming for an independent living style...
the first thing you could do: Install a solar PV array.. and get independent from you dirty power supplier...