Earth's Magnetic Field is Fading

Apparently the earth's magnetic poles switch places every 200,000 years or so. The fact that the magnetic field is currently diminishing, may indicate that we're about to enter a period where the poles will switch. (It still shouldn't happen in our lifetime.) As the magnetic field decreases, it will impact the ability of migrating animals to find their way and also will drastically increase the amount of radiation that enters the earth's atmosphere. You can read a little about it at National Geographic.