The total solar irradiance has been decreasing from 1981 to 1992, as shown by measurements from the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite. This decrease is linked to lower solar magnetic activity. The rate of decrease is -0.2 Wm exp -2 per year, and it is expected to continue until 1997. This suggests that solar irradiance variability follows an 11-year cycle rather than a 22-year cycle. The average total solar irradiance measured during this period was 1365.4 +/- 0.7 Wm exp -2.