A new study has concluded that severe climate change, and not a meteorite, was the main reason behind the mass extinction of the dinosaurs and other species 65 million years ago.

The study, which was conducted by scientists from Germany, Switzerland and the United States, takes into account climate, geological and paleontological data collected during several drillings near Brazos River in Texas.

One of the scientists, Michael Prauss of Berlin's Free University, told United Press International in a telephone interview Friday, "We have come up with completely new data that are poised to change the interpretation of this time in history. The main reasons for the mass extinction were massive climatic changes that began long before the meteorite hit."

This directly contrasts a study published this month in the journal Science, which claims that a meteorite crashing into Earth at Chicxulub on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula was the sole cause for the mass dying and that no climate shifts occurred ahead of the meteorite impact.

He further said, "These claims have to at least be questioned now in light of the new findings. The meteorite impact brought additional stress into an already stressed system. But it was only the last straw."

Humans are currently facing a similarly crucial junction, if the vast majority of climate scientists are to be believed.

Adding that he didn't want to compare the climate change forecast for the next centuries to that of the Cretaceous-Tertiary era, Prauss said that mankind is technically able to survive dinosaur-era-like climate stress.

He said, "Because of his intellect, man is able to adapt to a changing climate. But he has to take concrete measures to adapt, to protect himself and he has to take them early on before it's too late." (With Inputs from Agencies)