One of the most famous scientists in the world left us with one last terrifying prediction, before he died, that the end of Earth may be much closer than we think.
Stephen Hawking, a leading mind in the realm of theoretical physics, warned that humanity could face extinction in as little as 600 years if we do not take drastic action. He claimed that ‘runaway growth of population, uncontrolled energy consumption, and effects of environmental deterioration’ could turn Earth into a ‘blazing inferno’.
His horrifying prediction, made in 2018, was that if we did not change course then we too could meet the same fate. Will we listen to Hawking, before it is too late?
In his last public address, broadcast on video at the Tencent WE Summit in 2017, Hawking told humanity that we are on an unsustainable path.
“Our Earth’s population has been doubling every 40 years,” he said. “If we keep doubling, then there is no way this kind of exponential growth will go into the next millennium without devastating consequences.”
His warning expressed the urgent need for overpopulation to also be addressed along with climate change and energy requirements, or face an unacceptably uninhabitable Earth. As resources are depleted, Hawking’s remarks will become more and more ominous, how long are we to wait before ‘tipping point’ is reached?
Hawking warned that by 2600 earth’s overpopulation would leave people, “standing shoulder to shoulder,” while energy requirements would make Earth, “glow red-hot.” His warning forecasts a consequence if growth is unchecked by a live able planet.
“This is going to be an unsustainable future,” Hawking reflected in light of humanity’s current trajectory. In response to such imminent threats, NASA stated, “For more than five decades, NASA’s Earth science data has provided vital intelligence to assist in tackling precisely these global challenges that Hawking highlighted.”
The physicist stated to the BBC back in 2016: “While Earth’s annual risk of catastrophe may seem small, the odds of catastrophe become almost certain over millennia,” with a stronger condemnation of growth, clearly flaunting climate change, the rise of greenhouse gases and global warming: “the media should therefore better highlight the global climate crisis.”
Hawking’s forewarning threats turned out to be stunningly accurate. He cited nuclear war, runaway AI, and lethal pandemics as humanity’s greatest existential threats well before they appeared on the world’s front page. His precision of foresight into our current calamities only makes his other doomsday warnings more alarming.
