QUOTE(jedi_yarael_poof @ Mar 21 2007, 06:35 AM) [snapback]1592733[/snapback]
An ice age will probably happen again and again. They appear to be cyclic like what robbieb mentioned. Though according to some, the current climate change could trigger a desalination of the oceans due to melting ice. This, supposedly, could shut down the major ocean currents that bring warm water to the cold regions. If this shuts down, the planet may have a fail safe system to correct itself by issuing an ice age. Though, from what I understand nobody really understands what drives these ocean currents or if they really will shut down.
Here's a graph of the latest cycles of ice ages according to data from an ice core.
Click to view attachmentYou must remeber about the gulf stream it may warm northern Europe, it however also keeps the arctics atlantic region cold and brings it snow.