Michio Kaku: The laws of physics doom Planet Earth

Humans won’t survive if we stay on Earth. Michio Kaku explains.

On Earth, extinction is the norm: 99.9% of species eventually go extinct. Even worse, the laws of physics have destined our planet for destruction. Whether it be from a planet-killing asteroid or the death of our Sun, Earth is doomed.

Humanity needs an insurance policy. Ultimately, if we want to survive long-term, we need to inhabit other planets.

We are entering a new Golden Age of space exploration, but there are obstacles we must overcome.

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About Michio Kaku:
Dr. Michio Kaku is the co-founder of string field theory, and is one of the most widely recognized scientists in the world today. He has written 4 New York Times Best Sellers, is the science correspondent for CBS This Morning and has hosted numerous science specials for BBC-TV, the Discovery/Science Channel. His radio show broadcasts to 100 radio stations every week. Dr. Kaku holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at the City College of New York (CUNY), where he has taught for over 25 years. He has also been a visiting professor at the Institute for Advanced Study as well as New York University (NYU).

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Read more of our stories on the universe:
Earth is the Solar System’s densest planet. It shouldn’t be.
One shocking fact about each and every planet in the Solar System
Ask Ethan: Are “super-Earths” really the most common planets in the Universe?

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[olanwebb]

Knowing human nature, we need a third planet.

[sargeb.cuttin]

“If we have the resources to make mars like earth, we have the resources to make earth like earth.”
~Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson

[joemama]

This man had me thinking I was gonna die in an asteroid strike or volcanic eruption every time he came on TV in the mid 2000s

[JORDANTV]

Rich will leave the poor to die on a planet that they themselves destroyed. How incredible

[stealth]

The biggest irony with this entire line of thought is that if we have technology capable of terraforming another planet, then by definition, we have the technology of simply terraforming our own to be more optimal than it currently is. Or at least terraform it so that the problems are less severe and or solved. Thereby eliminating the need for another planet.

[juliangregory]

I used to look up to this guy. My issue with the conversation around technology saving us is that we have all the tech we need to save/feed/house every single person on this planet. There is no tech utopia future because our system is based on extraction and profit not what humans actually need. Billionaires choosing that space is our #1 priority is antidemocratic. If we as a society chose that it aligns with our goals that's cool, but let us decide/prioritize that not some old weirdos who are a small part of their larger organization yet take sooo much of the wealth without running democratic workplaces. We need a better social organization, we can produce for everyone without the rampant levels of exploitation on the backs of the global south. We need to clean our room before we go messing with Mars

[clownclownolulu]

In my mind Michio Kaku has always been this exact age.

[trannguyen-pong]

So that we can destroy it also? How about focusing on fixing this one first?

[stephenlyall]

The idea of a second planet reflects the level of greed for a status quo, almost as if it’s all ours.

[gingertea]

Disagree - "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed."

[jojo_COL_]

Ah without a magnetic sphere around the planet it would be pretty useless to raise mars tempeture. Perhaps subterranean colony would have better chances.

[thalesfelipevasconcelosdes]

I am sure Michio is right on his take for the most part; I just don´t see this as the pressing issue at the time. We are not sure if we will survive ourselves, our own hubris. I believe if we are ever going to dream of achieving interstellar exploration, we must first learn how to become fully civilized. We need to talk about that right now, before it is too late.

[LorettaBangBang]

No. If humanity doesn’t change, the second planet will share the same fate.

[foggyblues]

I get the giant rock of destrcution threat; but we'll destroy ourselves first.

The other thing is; we don't need to go and destroy another planet. We don't even deserve this one.

[apoorv]

Even mother nature is a creation like stars, species and every creation has a life span. Human can't run and establish it on other planet.

[nicholashuff]

With weaker gravity, and still no protective magnetic field, won't the released gasses be swept into space by solar winds, just like the original atmosphere?

[sandrajackson]

Living on Mars is nothing I would be excited about.

[elfboi]

We don't need a second Earth, we just need to come to terms with the fact that everything dies eventually, even our entire species. Death is a natural part of what we are, and every story comes to an end.

[carlearvin]

You mean 'We need another planet to destroy' Why can't we fix our own planet?

[rickc-___]

How do we hope to live on another planet if we haven't mastered working together peacefully