May 05, 2017
If the human species is to avert extinction, it's got just 100 years to leave Earth and colonize a new planet.
That's according to noted theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who makes the prediction in the upcoming BBC series "Expedition New Earth," set to air later this year as part of its reignited Tomorrow's World programming.
"Professor Stephen Hawking thinks the human species will have to populate a new planet within 100 years if it is to survive. With climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics, and population growth, our own planet is increasingly precarious," a BBC press statement announcing the documentary says.
The show will explore "if and how humans can reach for the stars and move to different planets" and will take viewers on a global journey that "shows that Prof. Hawking's ambition isn't as fantastical as it sounds--that science fact is closer to science fiction than we ever thought," BBC writes.
It's not the first time Hawking has given time frames for getting off of Earth; still, the century deadline marks a more dire prediction than the scientist made just last year, when he gave humanity 1,000 years to find a new planet to call home.
Speaking in November at the Oxford Union, he said: "I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today! |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
If the human species is to avert extinction, it's got just 100 years to leave Earth and colonize a new planet.
That's according to noted theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who makes the prediction in the upcoming BBC series "Expedition New Earth," set to air later this year as part of its reignited Tomorrow's World programming.
"Professor Stephen Hawking thinks the human species will have to populate a new planet within 100 years if it is to survive. With climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics, and population growth, our own planet is increasingly precarious," a BBC press statement announcing the documentary says.
The show will explore "if and how humans can reach for the stars and move to different planets" and will take viewers on a global journey that "shows that Prof. Hawking's ambition isn't as fantastical as it sounds--that science fact is closer to science fiction than we ever thought," BBC writes.
It's not the first time Hawking has given time frames for getting off of Earth; still, the century deadline marks a more dire prediction than the scientist made just last year, when he gave humanity 1,000 years to find a new planet to call home.
Speaking in November at the Oxford Union, he said: "I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet."
If the human species is to avert extinction, it's got just 100 years to leave Earth and colonize a new planet.
That's according to noted theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who makes the prediction in the upcoming BBC series "Expedition New Earth," set to air later this year as part of its reignited Tomorrow's World programming.
"Professor Stephen Hawking thinks the human species will have to populate a new planet within 100 years if it is to survive. With climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics, and population growth, our own planet is increasingly precarious," a BBC press statement announcing the documentary says.
The show will explore "if and how humans can reach for the stars and move to different planets" and will take viewers on a global journey that "shows that Prof. Hawking's ambition isn't as fantastical as it sounds--that science fact is closer to science fiction than we ever thought," BBC writes.
It's not the first time Hawking has given time frames for getting off of Earth; still, the century deadline marks a more dire prediction than the scientist made just last year, when he gave humanity 1,000 years to find a new planet to call home.
Speaking in November at the Oxford Union, he said: "I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.