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Will We Survive on Earth?
'Be brave, be curious, be determined, overcome the odds. It can be done'Will we survive on Earth?Should we colonise space?Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. In Will We Survive on Earth? the world-famous cosmologist and bestselling author of A Brief History of Time turns his attention to one of the most urgent issues for humankind and explores our options for survival.'Effortlessly instructive, absorbing and witty' GuardianBrief Answers, Big this stunning paperback series offers electrifying essays from one of the greatest minds of our age, taken from the original text of the No. 1 bestselling Brief Answers to the Big Questions.
- GenresScienceNonfiction
77 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
About the author
Stephen W. Hawking
201 books13k followersStephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. Between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 8, 2022
A brief and simplified observation of our expected trajectory as a civilization in the context of space colonization. Stephen Hawking drives home the idea that the future of humanity relies ultimately on the prospect of our colonization of exoplanets, thereby becoming an interstellar species. For if we are to survive the next 1,000 years, our species will likely have outgrown the capacity in which the Earth can sustain us, requiring us to look outwards for a suitable home. This isn't necessarily new information to most people, but it isn't science fiction either. Our future is infinite insofar as our species evolves beyond its primitive characteristics that bend themselves to the shadows of politics and interpersonal conflict. How wishful it is to believe that humanity can overcome greed...
Well, say we do. Granted, the humans that make it beyond this point in the next thousand or hundreds of thousands of years will hardly look like us, remembering us as mere neanderthals who couldn't figure out how to stop killing themselves in the name of invisible deities. Thankfully, people like Hawking have existed. Projects such as 'Breakthrough Starshoot' - a research and engineering project set to send a fleet of light sail interstellar probes to the Alpha Centauri System (which includes Proxima Centauri b, an exoplanet rather similar to Earth) within this century - may once again ignite society's drive to properly fund space exploration objectives.
It's quite appalling (but not at all surprising) to learn that, in 2017, the U.S. government spent 0.1% of its GDP on NASA funding. It goes without saying that global powers should cough up a tad more dough into such projects that propel our civilization to greater heights (imagine what an extra fraction could provide). While we can't expect any dramatic change in the near future, we can start to tilt the scale. And, on a personal note, I'm sure that human feats like the success of the James Webb Telescope and the ongoing objectives of Breakthrough Starshoot will bolster society's interest in backing scientific pursuits just as the Moon landings did nearly 60 years ago.
Many will argue that we could spend this proposed amount to solve issues like climate change, which Stephen Hawking naturally points out. His response is awfully obvious, highlighting that objectives like limiting the effects of climate change and exploring planetary options for future civilizations go hand in hand. To survive the next few hundred years we ought to figure out how to overcome this whole climate disaster we've meticulously provoked, and to survive the next few thousand we ought to seek shelter among the cosmos! Because, as Hawking neatly suggests, "Not to leave planet Earth would be like castaways on a desert island not trying to escape".
'Will We Survive on Earth?' is a short and casual essay written by one of humanity's greatest scientists for us laypeople to understand... to envision a desirable trajectory for human civilization and what that may require (or as much as one can from a book that takes one or two sittings to finish). We've come a long way for a species that has been around for only 2 million years (10,000 if we're talking about the civilized age), but if we are to "continue for another million years, our future lies in boldly going where no one has before". The future can indeed be bright... and, what an exciting one that would be if we're able to ride our own light beams to the stars as young Einstein merely dreamed of.
Cheers to two of the most important minds the human species have so kindly graced us with. Two names that'll forever be etched in the human pursuit of interstellar success!
Well, say we do. Granted, the humans that make it beyond this point in the next thousand or hundreds of thousands of years will hardly look like us, remembering us as mere neanderthals who couldn't figure out how to stop killing themselves in the name of invisible deities. Thankfully, people like Hawking have existed. Projects such as 'Breakthrough Starshoot' - a research and engineering project set to send a fleet of light sail interstellar probes to the Alpha Centauri System (which includes Proxima Centauri b, an exoplanet rather similar to Earth) within this century - may once again ignite society's drive to properly fund space exploration objectives.
It's quite appalling (but not at all surprising) to learn that, in 2017, the U.S. government spent 0.1% of its GDP on NASA funding. It goes without saying that global powers should cough up a tad more dough into such projects that propel our civilization to greater heights (imagine what an extra fraction could provide). While we can't expect any dramatic change in the near future, we can start to tilt the scale. And, on a personal note, I'm sure that human feats like the success of the James Webb Telescope and the ongoing objectives of Breakthrough Starshoot will bolster society's interest in backing scientific pursuits just as the Moon landings did nearly 60 years ago.
Many will argue that we could spend this proposed amount to solve issues like climate change, which Stephen Hawking naturally points out. His response is awfully obvious, highlighting that objectives like limiting the effects of climate change and exploring planetary options for future civilizations go hand in hand. To survive the next few hundred years we ought to figure out how to overcome this whole climate disaster we've meticulously provoked, and to survive the next few thousand we ought to seek shelter among the cosmos! Because, as Hawking neatly suggests, "Not to leave planet Earth would be like castaways on a desert island not trying to escape".
'Will We Survive on Earth?' is a short and casual essay written by one of humanity's greatest scientists for us laypeople to understand... to envision a desirable trajectory for human civilization and what that may require (or as much as one can from a book that takes one or two sittings to finish). We've come a long way for a species that has been around for only 2 million years (10,000 if we're talking about the civilized age), but if we are to "continue for another million years, our future lies in boldly going where no one has before". The future can indeed be bright... and, what an exciting one that would be if we're able to ride our own light beams to the stars as young Einstein merely dreamed of.
Cheers to two of the most important minds the human species have so kindly graced us with. Two names that'll forever be etched in the human pursuit of interstellar success!
August 11, 2025
rip stephen hawking, would love to hear your opinion on katty perry’s space flight
June 22, 2023
** Books 46 - 2023 **
This Books to accomplish Tsundoku Books Challenge 2023
3,4 0f 5 stars!
I've got this books with so affordable price in online Periplus bookstore! I bought this books since my focus in this year is reading some climate change and also inequality topics that's why i'm curious about this one.
This books more focusing about if the climate change happen, can us humanbeing moving into another planets beside earth? How we find another planets suitable for human lived with. The idea itself looks like i'm reading science fiction novels but hey why not we think about another chance of probability for human to survive with?
Thankyou Periplus bookstore!
This Books to accomplish Tsundoku Books Challenge 2023
3,4 0f 5 stars!
I've got this books with so affordable price in online Periplus bookstore! I bought this books since my focus in this year is reading some climate change and also inequality topics that's why i'm curious about this one.
This books more focusing about if the climate change happen, can us humanbeing moving into another planets beside earth? How we find another planets suitable for human lived with. The idea itself looks like i'm reading science fiction novels but hey why not we think about another chance of probability for human to survive with?
Thankyou Periplus bookstore!
October 28, 2025
This is my last book from Stephen Hawking's Brief Answers to the Big Questions series. I don't even know how to summarize this book, but let me give it a try.
Hawking begins by asking one of humanity’s most urgent questions: Can we survive on Earth? He points out the growing threats such as climate change, nuclear war, artificial intelligence, pandemics, and asteroids each capable of ending life as we know it. It was interesting to see his insight on what the solution could be: “Now we have the technology, we need the political will.” Can this happen? Who knows.
How did life begin?
Roughly 4 billion years ago, probably in Earth’s primordial oceans, as a result of natural processes that shaped the first simple cells. Over time, those cells evolved into intelligent beings capable of questioning their own survival. And now, it’s our intelligence that could both save or destroy us. Do I agree with him on this? Well I do believe in an intelligent creator that is not bound by the natural /physical law, we're not random. I will explain this in another book review.
He explains that another possible way forward is to colonize other livable places, like Mars or the Moon, to ensure long-term survival. How? Through the Breakthrough Starshot Project which is a real scientific initiative using miniaturized spacecraft called StarChips, powered by powerful laser beams. Each nanocraft, attached to an ultra-light sail, could travel at one-fifth the speed of light reaching Mars in less than an hour, Pluto in a few days, and Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system, in just over twenty years. These nanocrafts could gather data from planets beyond our solar system and send it back to Earth on a beam of light.
Of course, there are massive challenges like laser alignment, space dust, atmospheric interference, and energy demands, but Hawking’s message is clear: our survival depends on curiosity, unity, and courage.
Finishing this series makes me realize how little I actually know about the universe we live in. These books just ignited my curiosity, and I hope to keep learning more about this incredible universe.
Hawking begins by asking one of humanity’s most urgent questions: Can we survive on Earth? He points out the growing threats such as climate change, nuclear war, artificial intelligence, pandemics, and asteroids each capable of ending life as we know it. It was interesting to see his insight on what the solution could be: “Now we have the technology, we need the political will.” Can this happen? Who knows.
How did life begin?
Roughly 4 billion years ago, probably in Earth’s primordial oceans, as a result of natural processes that shaped the first simple cells. Over time, those cells evolved into intelligent beings capable of questioning their own survival. And now, it’s our intelligence that could both save or destroy us. Do I agree with him on this? Well I do believe in an intelligent creator that is not bound by the natural /physical law, we're not random. I will explain this in another book review.
He explains that another possible way forward is to colonize other livable places, like Mars or the Moon, to ensure long-term survival. How? Through the Breakthrough Starshot Project which is a real scientific initiative using miniaturized spacecraft called StarChips, powered by powerful laser beams. Each nanocraft, attached to an ultra-light sail, could travel at one-fifth the speed of light reaching Mars in less than an hour, Pluto in a few days, and Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system, in just over twenty years. These nanocrafts could gather data from planets beyond our solar system and send it back to Earth on a beam of light.
Of course, there are massive challenges like laser alignment, space dust, atmospheric interference, and energy demands, but Hawking’s message is clear: our survival depends on curiosity, unity, and courage.
Finishing this series makes me realize how little I actually know about the universe we live in. These books just ignited my curiosity, and I hope to keep learning more about this incredible universe.
January 28, 2024
One short book in a series of essays by Stephen Hawking, 'Will we survive on earth' examines concepts like tiny space rockets with sails and how we can reach beyond Planet Earth as a species. I liked Hawking's explanations but I'm not sure I agree with his conclusion that it's mandatory we find another home on which to live. Perhaps we will, hundreds or thousands of years into the future. But we evolved on Planet Earth - we were first created here, and we fit into THIS environment. Still, it's a great exploration of space travel and existential questions about whether we will survive as a species. The explanation of Project Starshot captured my imagination.
September 19, 2024
We shouldn’t abandoned the earth that creat us-human, we still need to care and protect while we are searching the possibilities and hope outside of the galaxy. Where we will get the fuel and how we develop technology, still we based and rely on the earth. Maybe only if we colonize the Moon and the Mars, extract the fuels & materials from there to craft spaceships there. Still it’s a long way to go, and we need more people to join this journey.
July 2, 2026
Very thought provoking. Hawking didnt really answer the question Should we colonise space? He talked about the possibility technologically but never gave his opinion on colonization. The first part was very good and makes me want to look more into quantum mechanics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
An interesting take from an astrological perspective of how humans will continue to survive :) Sparked new ideas and questions very interesting
June 8, 2026
I have a lot of thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews