I've been looking at sites discussing the possibility that this might be a normal earth cycle.   The only thing I know for sure is that I am not personally able to look at the data and come to these conclusions on my own, (for or against).    If one looks you will certainly find scientific reports which support both sides.

This 'both sides' argument works only if one does not understand that scientific consensus does not mean 100 % agreement.  There is not, nor has there ever been 100% agreement, (is there ever such a thing with human organizations?).  

At this point I trust the consensus of the majority.   Does that mean that uncovered data could change the mind of 'science', of course it can.   There is nothing we can discuss here that the scientific community does not know already, yet the consensus does not weaken.

This is a political issue, not just a scientific one and that means a lot of BS is circulating to influence the uniformed and shape their opinion. (by both sides).