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How Earth’s Climate Changed Over the Past 500 Million Years

Season 47 Episode 1

Learn more about our planet’s Hothouse and Icehouse climates.

Over its history, Earth has fluctuated between two climate states: Icehouses, with ice caps at at least one of the poles, and Hothouses, when there is no ice at the poles.

AIR DATE 2/5/20

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What’s Causing Greenland’s Biggest Glacier to Melt?
This Canadian Cave Has Been Frozen Since the Last Ice Age
This Canadian Cave Has Been Frozen Since the Last Ice Age
This Alaska Community is Losing Sea Ice to Climate Change
This Alaska Community is Losing Sea Ice to Climate Change
Plant Fossils Hint at Arctic's Swampy Past
Plant Fossils Hint at Arctic's Swampy Past
How Climate Has Shifted Over Millions of Years
How Climate Has Shifted Over Millions of Years
What if Carbon Left Your Tailpipe as Solid Chunks?
What if Carbon Left Your Tailpipe as Solid Chunks?
Why Trees Are Living Climate Records
Why Trees Are Living Climate Records
What did the East Coast Look Like 3 Million Years Ago?
What did the East Coast Look Like 3 Million Years Ago?
A Bird's-Eye View of Carbon Emissions
A Bird's-Eye View of Carbon Emissions
How Earth’s Climate Changed Over the Past 500 Million Years
Now Playing
How Earth’s Climate Changed Over the Past 500 Million Years
How Humans Could Make Icehouse Earth into a Hothouse
How Humans Could Make Icehouse Earth into a Hothouse
Fifty Million Years Ago, the Arctic Was a Warm Swamp
Fifty Million Years Ago, the Arctic Was a Warm Swamp
How Carbon Dioxide Warms Planet Earth
How Carbon Dioxide Warms Planet Earth
What’s Causing Greenland’s Biggest Glacier to Melt?
What’s Causing Greenland’s Biggest Glacier to Melt?
This Canadian Cave Has Been Frozen Since the Last Ice Age
This Canadian Cave Has Been Frozen Since the Last Ice Age
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