Researchers estimate that major changes to Earth’s climate and oceans could occur hundreds of millions to around a billion years from now. Eventually, rising solar output could make complex life impossible.
Elon Musk has often argued that humanity should become a multi-planetary species, especially by establishing settlements on Mars. His concern is that no single planet can remain safe forever from natural or human-made disasters.
These predictions do not mean Earth is facing destruction anytime soon. The scientific timelines involved are extraordinarily long, but they highlight why some scientists and space advocates believe humanity should think seriously about its long-term future beyond Earth.
