00:03Climate experts agree that we're reaching a tipping point with regards to Earth's ecosystems.
00:08When that point is reached, there will be a cascade of changes to our planet,
00:12resulting in a domino effect that could test humanity's very survival.
00:16Now, experts point to a change in Africa 5,500 years ago,
00:20one that could be the clearest analog for what we might be about to go through.
00:23Five and a half millennia ago, the continent went through a severe change as the Sahara Desert expanded rapidly.
00:29It took over grasslands, forests and lakes, forcing the humans in the area to find resources elsewhere.
00:34This forced more people into smaller areas and gave rise to one of our planet's first great civilizations, Ancient Egypt.
00:41Experts say as Africa transitioned out of its humid period,
00:44it went back and forth between two relatively stable climate states.
00:48By drilling sedimentary cores hundreds of feet deep in an African lake bed,
00:52scientists have concluded that the Saharan areas went through 14 dry phases over around a thousand years.
00:57They say each lasted between 20 and 80 years,
01:00with experts adding that the same thing could happen now as a precursor to permanent climate changes.
01:05Explaining that better understanding these precursors could help us better predict or even mitigate these changes.
01:11Explaining that better understanding these changes.
01:16Explaining that better understanding the changes.
01:17Explaining that better understanding the changes.
01:17Explaining that better understanding the changes.
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