Stephen Hawking Says Humans Have 1,000 Years Left on Earth The world-renowned physicist slaps an expiration date on our planet.

By Dan Bova

Jemal Countess | Getty Images

Let's hope U-Haul doesn't charge too much for extra mileage in the next millennium because theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking says humans will need to vacate Earth or face extinction in the next 1,000 years.

"Although the chance of a disaster to planet Earth in a given year may be quite low, it adds up over time, and becomes a near certainty in the next 1,000 or 10,000 years," Hawking said in a lecture about the origins of the universe at Oxford University this week.

Related: Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking Warn That AI Military Robots Could Ignite the Next Global Arms Race

"I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet," he continued. "We must continue to go into space for the future of humanity."

(Note to Elon Musk: hurry up with those Mars plans, dawg!)

Hawking blames the blue planet's potential demise on a multitude of man-created disasters such as nuclear war, genetically engineered viruses and global warming. (He didn't mention reality television, but that might be because his speech was running long.)

Related: Stephen Hawking: Artificial Intelligence Could 'End the Human Race'

His talk wasn't all gloom and doom, however. The great thinker implored his audience, and humankind in general, to enjoy the time we have left with words of inspiration.

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet," he said. "Try to make sense of what you see, wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. However difficult life may seem, here is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up."

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Zillow Predicts These 10 Places Will Have the Hottest Housing Markets in 2025

Zillow predicted that the hottest housing market of 2025 will be Buffalo, New York. Here's why.

Growing a Business

AI Adoption Doesn't Have to Be Daunting Anymore — Here's How to Choose the Right AI Tools For Your Small Business

As 2025 begins, AI adoption may still feel daunting for many business owners — but it doesn't have to be. Here's how to pick the best AI tools for your needs and integrate them wisely into your existing systems.

Science & Technology

5 AI Books Top Entrepreneurs Are Reading in a Rush for 2025

Entrepreneurs must embrace AI or risk falling behind. Discover 2025's top 5 AI books to gain a competitive edge, featuring insights from "The Wolf is at the Door" and a free AI Success Kit.

Leadership

Hard and Soft Skills Go Hand-in-Hand — These Are the Ones You Need to Sharpen This Year

The coming year promises to be one of change, which can be daunting and exciting. While it's important to stay on top of new technologies, the key will be sharpening those soft skills.

Business News

These Are the 10 Highest-Paying Jobs That Only Require a 2-Year Degree — With Some Around $100,000 and Higher

People with two-year degrees may see career growth in the healthcare, aviation, and technology industries over the next 10 years, according to a new report.