Scientists have predicted future glacial periods by matching Earth's past ice ages to its orbit around the sun. But their new model doesn’t account for how human-made carbon emissions could change these processes.

Scientists have determined exactly how Earth's orbit and tilt affect glaciation and deglaciation, based on the length of these parameters' cycles and clues hidden at the bottom of the ocean.

Scientists say small changes in the way the Earth orbits the sun hold the key in major global changes in climate, like ice ages.