Global Catastrophes: A Very Short Introduction

The big problem with predicting the end of the world is that, if
proved right, there can be no basking in glory. This has not, though,
dissuaded armies of Cassandras from predicting the demise of our
planet or the human race, only to expire themselves without the
opportunity to proclaim ‘I told you so’. To somewhat adapt the
words of the great Mark Twain, the death of our race has been
greatly exaggerated. The big question is, however, how long will this
continue to be the case?

The big problem with predicting the end of the world is that, if
proved right, there can be no basking in glory. This has not, though,
dissuaded armies of Cassandras from predicting the demise of our
planet or the human race, only to expire themselves without the
opportunity to proclaim ‘I told you so’. To somewhat adapt the
words of the great Mark Twain, the death of our race has been
greatly exaggerated. The big question is, however, how long will this
continue to be the case?