Is Existence of Life in The Universe Determined by Climate Change?

For decades, humans have wondered if we are alone in the universe. But astrobiologist Adam Frank asks a different question in his new book, Light of the Stars.

Frank writes that we have never been in a better position to discover whether or not we are alone in this galaxy, thanks to powerful telescopes and space probes that have taught us more than ever before. But in Frank’s mind, whether we’re alone in the universe depends on whether alien societies overcame the climate change their advances created.

During an interview with National Geographic, Frank says that he cannot answer the question of whether there are other civilizations in existence today.

“We can say that, yes, there have probably overwhelmingly been civilizations before us,” Frank said, according to Nat Geo. “The next step is, does anybody last long, particularly when climate change is going to be a natural consequence of civilization-building?”