When is it predicted that the world will end as we know it?
When is it predicted that the world will end as we know it?
Predictions about the "end of the world as we know it" or Earth's demise focus on astronomical and geological events that would make the planet uninhabitable rather than specific dates for societal collapse
. Long-term astronomical events:
- Sun's evolution: The most likely scenario for Earth's destruction is when the Sun exhausts its hydrogen fuel and expands into a red giant. This will engulf and vaporize the planet in approximately 7.59 billion years.
- Earth's oxygen depletion: Earth's breathable atmosphere is estimated to collapse around 1 billion years from now. This is due to changes in the Sun's radiation, making it uninhabitable for oxygen-dependent life forms.
- The heat death of the Universe: Ultimately, the Universe will end through "heat death," many billions of years after the Sun's demise. Energy will be evenly distributed throughout the Universe, making energy flows and complexity impossible.
Short-term human-induced threats:
- Climate change: Some experts predict climate change could trigger societal collapse by 2040. This is due to resource depletion, overpopulation, and interconnected feedback loops.
- Other risks: The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock warns about man-made threats like nuclear weapons and climate change. In 2023, the clock was set to 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe.
Important information:
- Predicting societal collapse with certainty is challenging due to the complex and unpredictable factors involved.
- While astronomical events provide a long-term perspective on Earth's ultimate fate, human activities pose more immediate risks.
- Scientific research suggests that there is about another decade to change course and avoid a collapse triggered by climate change, according to The Hill.
In conclusion, while the Earth will eventually be destroyed by the Sun, the "end of the world as we know it" could occur much sooner due to human-induced threats, such as climate change. Predictions point to potential societal collapse around 2040. However, it is vital to acknowledge the uncertainty of such predictions and focus on mitigating these risks.
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