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Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest minds on Earth, died peacefully at his home in Cambridge on Wednesday at the age of 76.
As well as being a renowned physicist whose groundbreaking theories helped us understand the complexities of space, time and the universe, the British professor also taught us about our home planet.
<p style="">
In his last years, Hawking used his platform to warn that human activity is causing irreversible planetary damage and that we must take action to halt <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change">climate change</a>.
</p><p style="">
"Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it's one we can prevent," Hawking <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/hawking-branson-space-travel-2322001094.html" target="_blank">said</a> in May.
</p><p style="">
Hawking frequently denounced <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier">climate change deniers</a>, and even offered to pay their <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-venus-2524820127.html">trip to Venus</a> to illustrate the impact of greenhouse gases on a habitable planet. The global thinker also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/01/stephen-hawking-dangerous-time-planet-inequality" target="_blank">warned</a> that the Brexit vote would damage scientific research in Britain and criticized <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-watch">President Donald Trump</a>'s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement">Paris agreement</a>.
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</p><div id="0ab07" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7PGFK31576662796"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="952735856850296832" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Stephen Hawking to Climate Deniers: Take a Trip to Venus https://t.co/pArjH7MZ5M @citizensclimate @carbonbrief @climateinstitut</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/952735856850296832">1515984903.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
"I am not denying the importance of fighting climate change and global warming, unlike Donald Trump, who may just have taken the most serious, and wrong, decision on climate change this world has seen," Hawking <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-leave-earth-2446264918.html">said</a> last year about the Paris withdrawal.
</p><p style="">
In a 2016 lecture, he predicted that humanity has only 1,000 years left on Earth and we must find another planet to live on.
</p><p style="">
"[W]e must ... continue to go into space for the future of humanity," Hawking <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/professor-stephen-hawking-humanity-wont-survive-1000-years-on-earth-a7417366.html">said</a>. "I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet."
</p><p style="">
According to Hawking, Earth and its inhabitants could soon be doomed. But, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/01/stephen-hawking-dangerous-time-planet-inequality" target="_blank">as he wrote in 2016</a>, he's actually an "enormous optimist" for our future—that is, if we can learn to work together.</p><p style="">
<span></span>"Perhaps in a few hundred years, we will have established human colonies amid the stars, but right now we only have one planet, and we need to work together to protect it," he wrote. "To do that, we need to break down, not build up, barriers within and between nations."
</p><p style="">
"We can do this, I am an enormous optimist for my species; but it will require the elites, from London to Harvard, from Cambridge to Hollywood, to learn the lessons of the past year. To learn above all a measure of humility."
</p><p style="">
Hawking died from complications of Lou Gehrig's disease, which he suffered from since he was 20.
</p>
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In the event of World War III, the only way for humanity to survive is to colonize Mars or the moon, according to Elon Musk.
"I'm not predicting that we're about to enter the dark ages, but there's some probability that we will, particularly if there's a third world war," the SpaceX and Tesla founder said during a question and answer session at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference in Austin on Sunday ahead of President Donald Trump's possible nuclear talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
<p style="">
"We want to make sure there's enough of a seed of human civilization somewhere else to bring civilization back and, perhaps, shorten the length of the dark ages," Musk continued during his chat with Jonathan Nolan, the co-creator of HBO's
Westworld<em>. </em>
</p><p style="">
"It's important to get a self-sustaining base ideally on Mars, because Mars is far enough away from Earth that [if there's a war on Earth] the Mars base is more likely to survive than a moon base," he said. "But I think a moon base and a Mars base that could perhaps regenerate life back here on Earth would be really important."
</p><p style="">
Musk's remarks—which you can watch below—are similar to comments made by theoretical physicist
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/stephen-hawking">Stephen Hawking</a>, who <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-leave-earth-2446264918.html">also thinks</a> that humanity needs to colonize Mars, the moon or other planets in order survive threats such as <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_blank">climate change</a>.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed" style="">
</p><div id="4d066" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="369P9F1576663958"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="972902029956820993" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Elon Musk wants a self-sustaining base for human civilization, ideally on Mars, in case WWIII on Earth #tictocnews https://t.co/lEwBrwE0I9</div> — QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake by Bloomberg)<a href="https://twitter.com/QuickTake/statuses/972902029956820993">1520792894.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
Musk said it will not be easy for the first people living in space.
</p><p style="">
"The moon and Mars are often thought of as some escape hatch for rich people, but it won't be that at all," he said. "Really it kind of reads like Shackleton's ad for Antarctic explorers ... difficult, dangerous, good chance you'll die, excitement for those who would survive."
</p><p style="">
Once the space settlers are established, the billionaire visionary envisions a "direct democracy" for Martian colonies, "where people vote directly on issues instead of going through a representative government."
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</p><div id="09647" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="46Q1641576663958"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="972904370370039809" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Elon Musk envisions Mars government as a "direct democracy" #tictocnews https://t.co/Xv145Adu3W</div> — QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake by Bloomberg)<a href="https://twitter.com/QuickTake/statuses/972904370370039809">1520793452.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
Musk suggested that SpaceX will be ready to fly a rocket to Mars in 2019.
</p><p style="">
"I think we'll be able to do short flights, sort of up-and-down flights, probably some time in the first half of next year," he said.
</p><p style="">
However, he admitted this interplanetary project, like many of his other grand plans, could be a little too ambitious.
</p><p style="">
"People have told me that my timelines historically have been optimistic, and so I'm trying to recalibrate to some degree here."
</p><p style="">
Elsewhere in his wide-ranging interview at SXSW, Musk spoke about the threat of climate change and why there must be a
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/price-on-carbon-1990955696.html">price on carbon</a>.
</p><p style="">
"Anything that pushes carbon into the atmosphere … has to have a price," Musk said.
</p><p style="">
Musk, whose many companies build electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels, has
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/elon-musk-unveils-tesla-model-3-accelerating-sustainable-transport-is--1882200339.html" target="_blank">spoken frequently</a> about his vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future.
</p><p style="">
<span></span>"In the absence of a price, we sort of pretend that digging up trillions of tons of
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/fossil-fuels">fossil fuels</a> and putting in the atmosphere … won't have a bad outcome," he said. "It's up to people and [their] governments to put a price on carbon."
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</p><div id="137ab" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="OOM91X1576663958"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="970789840454324224" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Tesla Installing World's Largest Solar Rooftop on Nevada Gigafactory https://t.co/HG8WuegadG @solarfeeds @cleantechnica</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/970789840454324224">1520289309.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
$89
CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
$35
FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
$39
NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
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Stephen Hawking warns Earth could become as hot as Venus if we do not cut greenhouse gas emissions, a significant driver of climate change.
Venus is by far the hottest planet in the solar system with a searing average surface temperature of 864 degrees Fahrenheit.
<p>
"Venus is like Earth in so many ways, a sort of kissing cousin," the famed theoretical physicist said in the second episode of his new series,
<a href="https://app.curiositystream.com/video/1697/stephen-hawkings-favorite-places" target="_blank">Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places</a>. "She's almost the same size as Earth, a touch closer to the sun. She has an atmosphere."</p><p>
NASA
<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/nasa-climate-modeling-suggests-venus-may-have-been-habitable" target="_blank">explains</a> that for up to 2 billion years of its early history, Venus may have had a shallow liquid-water ocean and habitable surface temperatures. However, due to its position to the sun, the planet's water eventually evaporated. With no water left on its surface, carbon dioxide built up in the atmosphere and led to a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/runaway-greenhouse-effect-on-venus-foreshadows-earths-climate-disaster-1881788437.html">runaway greenhouse effect</a> that created Venus' present hellish conditions.
</p><p>
“This is what happens when greenhouse gases are out of control," Hawking said, implying that our own planet could also meet the same fiery fate.
</p><p>
He then quipped, "Next time you meet a
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier">climate-change denier</a>, tell them to take a trip to Venus; I will pay the fare."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ae982a27f9cb65c68f127d3c6237d605"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yXYbA-F5l0A?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
</p><p>
Hawking has spoken against climate deniers before and
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/hawking-trump-science-2513514825.html">has criticized</a> President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement">Paris agreement</a>.
</p><p>
"Trump's action could push the Earth over the brink, to become like Venus, with a temperature of two hundred and fifty degrees, and raining sulphuric acid," he
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-trump-2452539680.html" target="_blank">said</a> in July.
</p><p>Hawking has frequently warned of doomsday scenarios and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-bbc-2392439489.html" target="_blank">said</a> that humanity needs to leave Earth and colonize the moon, Mars or other planets in order for our species to survive the impending doom of climate change.
</p><p>
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/hawking-earth-fire-600-years-2507753161.html">He believes</a> humans will only last another 600 years before Earth becomes a "sizzling ball of fire" that marks the end of humanity.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="2f6be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2CSO401576683862"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="936427156774801408" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Hawking to Trump: Renounce Your Denial of Climate Change https://t.co/73c9PZ9BLL @OneWorld_News @envirowire</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/936427156774801408">1512096606.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
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This was a year of tug-of-war for the environment. With Donald Trump becoming president of the U.S. at a time when wildfires, hurricanes, and floods were devastating the country, it was challenging for scientists, activists and concerned citizens to get their voices heard. But several stood out as global leaders on climate and helped give rise to those who were silenced. Below are 14 of the most notable influencers of 2017 and how they fought for a cleaner, safer environment for all.
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1. Emmanuel Macron
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After his inauguration as president of France, just a few months after U.S. President Donald Trump, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/emmanuel-macron" target="_self">Emmanuel Macron</a> made immediate waves. He started off by addressing Trump's withdrawal from the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement">Paris agreement</a> with a "<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/macron-climate-scientists-france-2440280116.html" target="_self">Make Earth Great Again</a>" slogan and welcoming American climate scientists to France to continue their research. He forged on, offering <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/france-climate-awards-2516598161.html" target="_self">multi-year grants</a> totaling $70 million. Macron also hosted the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/coal-companies-one-planet-summit-2517129095.html" target="_self">One Planet Summit</a> where 20 international companies announced they would phase out <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coal">coal</a>. With his continued criticism of Trump's decisions regarding the planet, Macron has proven himself a global leader on <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_self">climate change</a> and has set the stage for progress in 2018.</p><p>2. Elon Musk</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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</p><p><a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/elon-musk" target="_self">Elon Musk</a>, entrepreneur and founder of several companies including SpaceX, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/tesla" target="_self">Tesla</a> and SolarCity, began 2017 with a seat on President Trump's economic advisory council. Musk made multiple attempts to reverse Trump's stance on climate change, but after Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement, Musk left the council on June 1, causing a huge media storm. Then in October, when <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/hurricane-maria">Hurricane Maria</a> devastated Puerto Rico and left the islands without power, Musk swooped in and began building a <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/solar">solar</a> grid. He started with restoring a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-puerto-rico-solar-2501230169.html" target="_self">children's hospital</a> in San Juan and has continued delivering and installing <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-puerto-rico-solar-battery-2515317653.html" target="_self">Tesla battery systems</a> since. Musk has also made huge strides in green technology with his push for electric vehicles and <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/">renewable energy</a> in the U.S., despite the Trump administration's favoritism towards the fossil fuel industry.<br></p><p>3. Angela Merkel</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stepped up to the plate as one of 2017's female leaders on climate in a multitude of ways. Nicknamed the "Climate Chancellor," Merkel has outwardly expressed her differences with Trump, calling his stance on climate change "regrettable." She<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-putin-2454918187.html" target="_self"> reassured the UN</a> that Germany would uphold its targets for the Paris agreement, despite the U.S. change of heart. She has also made significant progress in ensuring sustainable growth in Germany with the G20 Hamburg Climate and Energy Action Plan for Growth. Then, in November at the<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/cop23" target="_self"> COP23</a> in Bonn, Germany, Merkel sent a strong message to all global leaders, saying "we will not be able to adhere to the 2°C or 1.5°C target with the current national commitments. That is why each and every contribution is incredibly important."</p><p>4. Bernie Sanders</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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Senator <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/bernie-sanders" target="_self">Bernie Sanders</a> didn't let his loss in the 2016 presidential race stop him from speaking out on climate. In 2017, Sanders relentlessly criticized Trump's rejection of the Paris agreement and his outright denial of climate <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/science/">science</a>. He is one of the few politicians who has spoke out about the<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/sanders-energy-bill-2464667836.html" target="_self"> Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017</a>, which aims to expand the fossil fuel industry. He also introduced a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/transformation-blueprint-puerto-rico-2513303662.html" target="_self">$146 billion recovery package</a> for Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria hit and Trump neglected to provide relief. The package would rebuild Puerto Rico's infrastructure with sustainable resources. He also helped to introduce the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/clean-energy-bill-merkley-sanders-markey-2381516585.html" target="_self">100 by 50 Act</a>, which would support workers in the fossil fuel industry while simultaneously phasing out fossil fuels by 2050. </p><p>5. Pope Francis</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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Pope Francis has openly condemned <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier" target="_self">climate change deniers</a> for years, but 2017 might have been the most radical year yet for the sovereign. In February, the Pope spoke up for<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/pope-frances-dapl-2265564461.html" target="_self"> indigenous peoples</a> and their right to consent when it comes to government activities on their sacred lands. The strong words came shortly after President Trump signed two executive orders calling for the approval of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines in January, though the Vatican said the timing was coincidental. On <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/pope-francis-climate-change-hunger-2497286479.html" target="_self">World Food Day</a> in October, the Pope urged governments to mitigate climate change, as it is a lead driver of the increase in world hunger. And in November at COP23, he outlined four "<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/pope-francis-cop23-2510283678.html" target="_self">perverse attitudes</a>" that are preventing climate action. To top it off, he also acquired an <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/pope-francis-nissan-leaf-2294820792.html" target="_self">electric car</a>.</p><p>6. Michelle Rodriguez</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDI1Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTQyNzQ3MX0.0_BuMsiiUgIv1eGxC5ACSPvHKOM-vt-SPuW8BuSeWKA/img.jpg?width=980" id="b040c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0824cb85cc66bfa0409924c8e930ab05" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>Actress and climate activist Michelle Rodriguez is one of the newer voices of the climate movement. In March, Rodriguez joined an all-woman survey team known as <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/michelle-rodriguez-baby-seals-2336771103.html" target="_self">Operation Ice Watch</a> on an expedition to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada where the seal population is under siege by hunting and ice loss caused by climate change. Led by the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/community/seashepherdconservationsociety/">Sea Shepherd Conservation Society</a> and <a href="https://www.animaljustice.ca/" target="_blank">Animal Justice</a>, the crew surveyed the ice, or lack thereof, while filming a documentary to raise awareness about the "ecological catastrophe." Rodriguez also partnered with <a href="https://my.seashepherd.org/OperationTSP" target="_blank">Operation Taino Spirit Promise</a> and <a href="http://www.seashepherd.org/" target="_blank">Sea Shepherd</a> to provide relief to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria struck and start a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/puerto-rico-sustainability-2515065901.html" target="_self">campaign</a> for a sustainable rebuild.</p><p><span></span>7. Michael Bloomberg<br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDI5MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MzM0NzgzNX0.29jhcvGVILsj-0NuecDpE-dMcsqQvb5pHYQh6K7RdAY/img.jpg?width=980" id="528f0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e9817bbcef0a909ddd85207f1e23dca5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was also a notable influencer of 2017, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/cop-23-same-canoe-2509377631.html" target="_self">representing the U.S. at COP23</a> where he, alongside Governors Jerry Brown of California and Jay Inslee of Washington introduced the <a href="https://www.wearestillin.com/about" target="_blank">We Are Still In</a> coalition, a network of U.S. politicians who support climate action despite Trump's withdrawal from the Paris agreement. In October, Bloomberg also announced that his charity would donate $64 million to the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/bloomberg-coal-sierra-club-2495882707.html" target="_self">retirement of U.S. coal plants</a>, greatly impeding Trump's efforts to revive the American <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coal" target="_self">coal industry</a>.</p><p><span></span>8. Patricia Espinosa<br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDMwMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMTA3NTk4OX0.bkqVMS5Yr4gSUrPww9GAQNONoSBakNB1oMOuyxeLOmA/img.jpg?width=980" id="b414f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3c19872c44cab799126158e2706068f4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>Mexican politician and current executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa made significant progress on shifting the dialogue surrounding climate action in 2017. In<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/shell-climate-video-2290679999.html" target="_self"> February</a>, she said getting fossil fuel companies "on board" is a critical factor in combating climate change. She also used her position to direct the climate conversation away from technology and toward security, arguing that security officials "understand that our current crisis pales in comparison to what is coming if climate change is left unchecked." She also spoke about women's involvement at COP23 and introduced the Gender Action Plan to promote meaningful participation by women in the climate movement.<br></p><p>9. Al Gore<br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDMwNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxODQ3NzI5MH0.-_PWKiRPPIaFKJbMvBGdgclg2RQeIREPInQ-i1FkdAY/img.jpg?width=980" id="19e77" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="279647b1b892d7b8b584a94c3436e243" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>Former vice president and environment activist <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/community/al_gore/" target="_self">Al Gore</a> is known for his stance on climate change. But in 2017, with the release of his newest documentary "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power," Gore found another big spotlight. In July, he boldly <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/al-gore-paris-agreement-2456658881.html" target="_self">predicted</a> that the U.S. would still meet the targets of the Paris agreement, despite Trump's about-face in June. On Dec. 4-5, Gore also hosted the Climate Reality Project's "<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/24-hours-reality-matters-2515687039.html" target="_self">24 Hours of Reality</a>," where he highlighted citizens taking action all across the globe to inspire others to do the same. The program reached more than half a billion viewers on TV and 32 million online, making it the world's largest social broadcast on climate to date.<br></p><p>10. Jerry Brown</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDM2MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3NjY4MTk0M30.OKVl2kdKdPeRYnrE4H6UJwA9BZF8CNgkx26UIR5qhZc/img.jpg?width=980" id="04e5f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6eaee9c3dc801c069873f10188e59ce0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>At almost every turn for the past 365 days, California Governor <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/jerry-brown" target="_self">Jerry Brown</a> has undermined President Trump. In June, almost immediately after Trump's withdrawal from the Paris agreement, Brown partnered with <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/brown-china-climate-deal-2435721752.html" target="_self">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a> to continue expanding green technology and trade. In July, Brown extended California's climate legislation to reduce <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/greenhouse-gases" target="_self">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. And as wildfires have raged through the state and region, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/california-brown-trump-climate-2500805926.html" target="_self">Brown said</a> he was "linking with other similar-minded people all over the world" and "pushing forward even as Trump blusters."<br></p><p>11. Noam Chomsky</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDM2MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNDIwMTc4NH0.LMilPhdJDomKAiRwjnRFyIIK_zz9YIAonE_yz89-XzQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="bced1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3a11feaac20617ac2fab9fb0198a8601" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>Well known linguist and scientist <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/noam-chomsky-trump-2454319460.html" target="_self">Noam Chomsky</a> spoke out numerous times in 2017 for the sake of the environment. In an <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/chomsky-trump-undermine-survival-2333432702.html" target="_self">interview with Truthout</a> in March, Chomsky called out the Trump administration for cutting federal spending to the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/epa">U.S Environmental Protection Agency</a> and the Department of Energy, stating that his actions are an "attack against future generations." In May he spoke out again, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/noam-chomsky-gop-trump-climate-2404621379.html" target="_self">telling BBC Newsnight</a> that the Republican Party's denial of climate change has made them the most dangerous organization "in human history." Chomsky's criticisms opened up an intellectual dialogue for conservative voters and encouraged the scientific community to weigh in.<br></p><p>12. Leonardo DiCaprio</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDM2Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDU4Njk1Mn0.ADWC2PMXfzDplWntUXi3UeVnhKakVSiqs2xzmNYmrvM/img.jpg?width=980" id="5abfb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="09368c6b5c1100b70aff5033ef346aef" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>Actor and philanthropist <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/leonardo-dicaprio" target="_self">Leonardo DiCaprio</a> made impressive strides on climate action in 2017, including investing in the entirely plant-based food company <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/dicaprio-beyond-meat-2498081823.html" target="_self">Beyond Meat</a> and a farm-raised seafood company <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/leonardo-dicaprio-lovethewild-2307586570.html" target="_self">LoveTheWild</a>. In June, DiCaprio also partnered with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to conserve the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/dicaprio-vaquita-oceans-day-2436761026.html" target="_self">Gulf of California</a> for the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vaquita">vaquita</a> porpoise, classified as the most endangered marine mammal in the world. Most recently, at the Yale Climate Change Conference in September, DiCaprio announced that his foundation will be awarding <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/leonardo-dicaprio-foundation-awards-2487597805.html" target="_self">$20 million in grants</a> to more than 100 environmental organizations.<br></p><p>13. Stephen Hawking</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDM2My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzAyOTQxNX0.aosjX4rOT_uI7Q-xIus9bFDSQmYKf-G9sSHqDU-nT5U/img.jpg?width=980" id="3c8b8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="605025c746efa309e1b769c6798498b0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>World-renowned theoretical physicist <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/stephen-hawking" target="_self">Stephen Hawking</a> represented the majority of the scientific community in 2017 on several occasions, urging Trump to stop denying evidence of climate change. In June, Hawking had a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-trump-2452539680.html" target="_self">few choice words </a>about the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement, warning that "we are close to the tipping point where <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_self">global warming</a> becomes irreversible." And in November, Hawking once again pushed Trump to stop <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/hawking-trump-science-2513514825.html" target="_self">denying climate change</a> and take action. Hawking nearly gave up on Earth altogether, telling WIRED UK that "our Earth is becoming too small for us, global population is increasing at an alarming rate and we are in danger of self-destructing."<br></p><p>14. David Attenborough</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNjk2NDM2NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzM1MDQ3MX0.0DolTBfyoHa8qhomzmTMRWVUfesEksDnYN3v3M6zSKU/img.jpg?width=980" id="54dd2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6c0c54783d6958260742f4220e705134" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>English documentary filmmaker and naturalist David Attenborough, whose series <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/david-attenborough-blue-planet-ii-2490636664.html">Blue Planet II</a> began in October, spoke out several times on plastic pollution in 2017. In September, Attenborough told <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/community/greenpeace/" target="_self">Greenpeace</a> of the "heartbreaking" footage he recorded of mother birds feeding their babies plastic, an iconic moment for him that pushed him to speak up about <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastics" target="_self">plastic pollution</a> in oceans., and tell Trump to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/david-attenborough-plastics-2514828090.html">reconsider his withdrawal</a> from the Paris agreement. He emphasized that "never before have we been so aware of what we are doing to our planet—and never before have we had such power to do something about it."<br></p>
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In a recent sit-down with WIRED UK, famed theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking sounded off on the ongoing anti-science movement.
"People distrust science because they don't understand how it works," Hawking said. "It seems as if we are now living in a time in which science and scientists are in danger of being held in low, and decreasing, esteem. This could have serious consequences. I am not sure why this should be as our society is increasingly governed by science and technology, yet fewer young people seem to want to take up science as a career."
<p style="">
The conversation, naturally, led to his thoughts on
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-watch/">Donald Trump</a>. If the genius scientist was ever given the chance to talk to the U.S. president, he would first ask him about his controversial ban of travelers from six mainly Muslim countries.
</p><p>
"This blanket ban is inefficient and prevents America from recruiting skilled people from these countries," Hawking said.
</p><p>
Hawking then quipped, "I would also ask him to renounce his
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier">denial of climate change</a>. But again, I fear neither will happen as Trump continues to appease his electorate."
</p><p style="">
Trump famously <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-climate-change-hoax-2018812943.html">said</a> that <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change">climate change</a> is a "hoax" invented by the Chinese, as he and members of his <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/arctic-oil-anwr-drilling-2513482646.html">political party and administration</a> push the use of fossil fuels, which exacerbates dangerous global warming.
</p><p style="">
The wide-ranging interview with WIRED also covered Hawking's thoughts on artificial intelligence, his worries over how big corporations like Facebook and Google control information, and the necessity of pursuing a rigorous space exploration program so that humans can find another inhabitable planet.
</p><p style="">
"Our Earth is becoming too small for us, global population is increasing at an alarming rate and we are in danger of self-destructing," he warned.
</p><p>
Hawking is a
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-leave-earth-2446264918.html">frequent critic</a> of Trump. In July, he <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-trump-2452539680.html">denounced</a> the president's controversial decision to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/best-responses-trump-paris-agreement-2429353243.html" target="_blank">withdraw</a> the U.S. from the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement" target="_blank">Paris climate agreement</a>.
</p><p>
"Trump's action could push the Earth over the brink, to become like Venus, with a temperature of two hundred and fifty degrees, and raining sulphuric acid," he said.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="303aa" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ACQVV81576663505"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="860673011908825088" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Stephen Hawking: We Have 100 Years to Find a New Planet https://t.co/q2G1HTRiBc @nytimesscience @guardianscience</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/860673011908825088">1494035411.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
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Stephen Hawking Says Earth Will Become ‘Sizzling Ball of Fire’ in 600 Years
08 November 2017
Popular
By Phineas Rueckert
Last year, scientist Stephen Hawking gave humans a shelf-life of 1,000 more years on Earth.
Apparently, 2017 hasn't been to his liking—as Hawking shaved another 400 years off that prediction.
The world-renowned scientist said Tuesday that he believes humans will only last another 600 years before Earth becomes a "sizzling ball of fire" that marks the end of humanity, The Sun reported.
<p style="">Hawking's comments came as part of the Tencent WE Summit in <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/beijing-steel-factories-2504305097.html">Beijing</a>. The scientist, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and speaks with a speech-generating device, dialed into the conference with a video call urging humans to instead look toward colonizing a neighboring star system called Alpha Centauri, <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/07/earth-is-going-to-be-a-sizzling-ball-of-fire-by-2600-stephen-hawking-warns-7060683/" target="_blank">according to Metro UK</a>. </p><p>So, how does he want humans do this?</p><p style="">Hawking believes something called the "<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/breakthrough-starshot">Breakthrough Starshot</a>" project may offer a way to find life beyond Earth. The project aims to reach the nearest star system to our own, Alpha Centauri, where last August scientists <a href="https://breakthroughinitiatives.org/About" target="_blank">discovered</a> a "potentially habitable Earth-like planet," by sending out <a href="https://breakthroughinitiatives.org/News/12" target="_blank">ultralight nanobeams</a> that would reach Alpha Centauri in a couple of decades. </p><p>"Such a system could reach Mars in less than an hour, or reach Pluto in days, pass Voyager in under a week and reach Alpha Centauri in just over 20 years," Hawking said Tuesday. </p><p style="">"Maybe if all goes well, sometime a little after the middle of the century, we'll have our first picture of another planet that may be life-bearing orbiting the nearest star," he added.</p><p style="">As for this planet, Hawking was not so hopeful. Hawking warned that "soaring population sizes and increasing <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/energy-news/">demands for energy</a>" would lead to Earth's eventual demise, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5056107/Stephen-Hawking-says-technology-end-poverty-urges-caution.html" target="_blank">according to the Daily Mail</a>. </p><p style="">The relationship between <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/population-growth">population growth</a> and <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a> is clear. Rapidly industrializing countries like India and China are expected to contribute half of all CO2 emissions by 2050, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/population-growth-climate-change/" target="_blank">according to the United Nations Population Fund</a>. </p><p>Global Citizen advocates for countries to adopt the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including goal number 13: climate action. You can take action <a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/take-action/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p style="">"If we cannot stabilize climate and we cannot stabilize population, there is not an ecosystem on Earth that we can save," the nonprofit Worldwatch Institute <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/population-growth-climate-change/" target="_blank">told</a> Scientific American.</p><p style="">Hawking has been critical of U.S. climate change policy under <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/donald-trump" target="_blank">President Donald Trump</a>. The U.S. will soon be <a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/syria-paris-climate-agreement-united-states-donald/" target="_blank">the only country</a> to not sign the Paris agreement, which aims to put a cap on global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="6a700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="WLLS781576662132"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="927934619202281472" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">U.S. Now the Only Country Not in Paris Climate Agreement https://t.co/XBYj1lZu7x @ecowatch #COP23</div> — Sierra Club (@Sierra Club)<a href="https://twitter.com/SierraClub/statuses/927934619202281472">1510071828.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
<p style="">"Trump's action could push the earth over the brink, to become like Venus, with a temperature of two hundred and fifty degrees, and raining sulphuric acid," Hawking <a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/stephen-hawkins-trump-earth-venus/" target="_blank">said</a> in an interview with BBC this past July.<br></p><p style=""><em>Reposted with permission from our media associate <a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/stephen-hawking-earth-sizzling-ball-of-fire/" target="_blank">Global Citizen</a>.</em></p>
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Stephen Hawking: 'We Are Close to Tipping Point Where Global Warming Becomes Irreversible'
03 July 2017
Popular
www.youtube.com
Stephen Hawking delivered another round of condemnation over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement.
"We are close to the tipping point where global warming becomes irreversible," the famed theoretical physicist said. "Trump's action could push the Earth over the brink, to become like Venus, with a temperature of two hundred and fifty degrees, and raining sulphuric acid," he told BBC News.
<p>
The University of Cambridge professor made these remarks during his recent interview with
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40461726" target="_blank">BBC News</a> on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
</p><p>
During the interview, Hawking also lamented Trump's notorious
<a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier">denial</a> of climate science.
</p><p>
<span></span>"Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it's one we can prevent if we act now," he said. "By <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-denier-trump-2089375262.html">denying the evidence</a> for climate change, and pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, Donald Trump will cause avoidable environmental damage to our beautiful planet, endangering the natural world, for us and our children."
</p><p>
When asked whether humanity could ever solve our environmental and social problems, the professor was cynical and
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-bbc-2392439489.html">advocated space travel</a> to ensure the survival of our species.
</p><p>
"I fear evolution has inbuilt greed and aggression to the human genome," he said. "There is no sign of conflict lessening, and the development of militarized technology and weapons of mass destruction could make that disastrous. The best hope for the survival of the human race might be independent colonies in space."
</p>
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Stephen Hawking repeated his warning that humanity needs to leave Earth and colonize the moon, Mars or other planets in order for our species to survive the impending doom of climate change.
"We have given our planet the disastrous gift of climate change ... When we we have reached similar crises there has usually been somewhere else to colonize ... But there is no new world, no utopia around the corner," he said. "We are running out of space, and the only places to go to are other worlds."
<p>"It is time to explore other solar systems," Hawking continued. "Spreading out may be the only thing that saves us from ourselves. I am convinced that humans need to leave Earth." </p><p>Space travel would "elevate humanity," he noted. </p><p><span></span>The renowned physicist made the remarks Wednesday at the Starmus arts and science festival in Norway. </p><p>At the event, Hawking criticized <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-watch/" target="_blank">President Donald Trump</a>'s decision to pull the U.S. out of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement">Paris climate agreement</a>, saying "I am not <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier">denying</a> the importance of fighting climate change and global warming, unlike Donald Trump, who may just have taken the most serious, and wrong, decision on climate change this world has seen."</p><p>The professor is working with Russian billionaire Yuri Milner's <a href="https://breakthroughinitiatives.org/Initiative/3" target="_blank">Breakthrough Starshot</a> initiative to send a fleet of laser-powered "nano craft" into space. </p><p>"Such a system could reach Mars in less than an hour, reach Pluto in days, pass Voyager [the space probe launched in 1977] in under a week, and reach Alpha Centauri in just over 20 years," he <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-second-earth-spacecraft-travel-20-years-star-chip-breakthrough-star-shot-a7800991.html" target="_blank">said</a>. "Once there, the nano craft could image any planets discovered in the system, test for magnetic fields and organic molecules, and send the data back to Earth in another laser beam."</p><p>The scheme is "a real opportunity for man to make early forays into outer space, with a view to probing and weighing the possibilities of colonization," he said.</p><p>Hawking also <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40345048" target="_blank">urged</a> world leaders to send astronauts to the moon by 2020, build a lunar base in 30 years and to send people to Mars by 2025. </p><p>"Spreading out into space will completely change the future of humanity," he said. "I hope it would unite competitive nations in a single goal, to face the common challenge for us all."<br></p>
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www.youtube.com
A new group of industry heavyweights, including oil majors Total, ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and BP, have voiced their support for a Republican-led carbon tax and dividend plan. Individual founding members include, Michael Bloomberg, Stephen Hawking and Steven Chu.
<p>The <a href="https://www.clcouncil.org/founding-members/" target="_blank">Climate Leadership Council</a>, formed earlier this year to promote a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/price-on-carbon-1990955696.html">carbon tax</a> as the most effective <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate</a> solution, announced its new coalition of "Founding Members" today.</p><p>Supporters include companies like Johnson & Johnson and General Motors and NGOs like the Nature Conservancy.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.clcouncil.org/our-plan/" target="_blank">plan</a> is made up of four parts. As Bloomberg writes:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>A <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/carbon-tax">carbon tax</a> on fossil-fuel combustion lets energy prices reflect the damage done to the climate from carbon dioxide emissions.</li><li>Money raised by the levy is refunded monthly to taxpayers—turning distant climate benefits into immediate cash.</li><li>A border tax on goods from countries without a carbon tax ensures that U.S. companies remain competitive.</li><li>Finally, the U.S. safely rolls back climate regulations. </li></ul><p>The council presented its plan, coauthored by several GOP senior statesmen, to Trump's economic adviser Gary Cohn in February.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed"></p><div id="91e48" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="JMI42O1497982002"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="877222162905563136" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Groups Slam #Exxon for Deceptive Support of #CarbonTax https://t.co/lWIHoXdVMe @greenpeaceusa @350 @foodandwater @Agent350 @billmckibben</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/877222162905563136">1497981036.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p>
<p><strong>For a deeper dive:</strong></p><p><a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=375bef4a05&e=d462721836" target="_blank">New York Times</a> $, <a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=ba5221bb98&e=d462721836" target="_blank">WSJ</a>$, <a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=719f2a9031&e=d462721836" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>, <a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=ec20aec0d3&e=d462721836" target="_blank">Axios</a>. Commentary: <a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=8e023bdf86&e=d462721836" target="_blank">Washington Post, George Shultz and Lawrence Summers op-ed</a> $, FT, <a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=848a290a5d&e=d462721836" target="_blank">Ted Halstead op-ed</a> $</p><p><em>For more </em><a href="http://ecowatch.com/climate-change-news/" target="_blank"><em>climate change</em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://ecowatch.com/business/renewables/" target="_blank"><em>clean energy</em></a><em> news, you can follow Climate Nexus on </em><a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateNexus" target="_blank"><em>Twitter</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClimateNexus/" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a><em>, and sign up for daily </em><a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=7c84c08aaa" target="_blank"><em>Hot News</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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About EcoWatch
27 June 2016
Humans have 100 years to find a new planet, or else become extinct, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking says in an upcoming BBC series.
<p><em>Expedition New Earth</em>, to air this summer, shows Hawking drastically changing a prediction he made <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-trump-climate-change-2097005537.html%20" target="_blank">last November</a> at Oxford University Union, when he said, "I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet." Now, Hawking says we only have 100 years.<span></span></p><p>Hawking has frequently warned about the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-climate-change-2011284874.html">dangers threatening our survival</a>, including nuclear war, genetically engineered viruses and artificial intelligence. According to the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/tomorrows-world/television" target="_blank">BBC</a>'s media guide, he believes "<span></span><a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a>, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics and population growth" have made Earth "increasingly precarious." </p><p>Hawking's perspective may sound like doom and gloom for Earth, but his new documentary focuses on finding out "if and how humans can reach for the stars and move to different planets."</p><p>With a team including engineering expert <a href="https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/danielle-george(33939c14-03f3-4200-9f9f-26259ea1d977).html" target="_blank">Danielle George</a> and his former student <a href="http://www.christophegalfard.com/" target="_blank">Christophe Galfard</a>, they travel the world to see how the latest astronomy, biology and rocket technology developments might lead to solutions.<br></p><p>"From the Atacama desert to the wilds of the North Pole, from plasma rockets to human hibernation, they discover a whole world of cutting edge research," the BBC said. "The journey shows that Prof. Hawking's ambition isn't as fantastical as it sounds—that science fact is closer to science fiction than we ever thought."</p>
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Stephen Hawking Plans Trip to Space, Says Trump Should Replace Pruitt as EPA Head
20 March 2017
Popular
Professor Stephen Hawking could one day realize his dream of space travel thanks to Virgin founder and space-enthusiast Richard Branson.
"I have already completed a zero gravity flight which allowed me to float weightless, but my ultimate ambition is to fly into space," Hawking told host Piers Morgan of "Good Morning Britain" on Monday. "I thought no one would take me but Richard Branson has offered me a seat on Virgin Galactic and I said yes immediately."
<p>Branson's spaceflight company aims to provide suborbital spaceflights to space tourists. However, the venture has faced a number of delays, including a <a href="http://www.space.com/4863-report-cites-rocketship-builder-explosion-inquiry.html" target="_blank">fatal explosion</a> in 2007 during a ground test and test flight <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/31/spaceshiptwo-richard-branson-virgin-crash-mojave" target="_blank">crash</a> in 2014. (Might I suggest that if Branson cannot offer the stars to Hawking, maybe <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/elon-musk" target="_blank">Elon Musk</a>'s SpaceX can?)</p><p>"My three children have brought me great joy—and I can tell you what will make me happy, to travel in space," Hawking said. </p><div id="7d12f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="EOTSVS1524750156"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="843803661067337732" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">FULL INTERVIEW:
Prof Stephen Hawking on Trump, climate change, feminism, Brexit, robots, space travel & Marilyn.
https://t.co/sSQamLgrae</div> — Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan)<a href="https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/statuses/843803661067337732">1490013444.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The 75-year-old theoretical physicist and cosmologist was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis lateral sclerosis (ALS) when he was 21. </p><p><span></span>Hawking actually wrote about Branson's offer in a 2016 article published in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/sep/26/i-think-the-human-race-has-no-future-if-it-doesnt-go-to-space" target="_blank">Guardian</a>:</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"I believe in the possibility of commercial space travel—for exploration and for the preservation of humanity. I believe that life on Earth is at an ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as a sudden nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus, or other dangers. I think the human race has no future if it doesn't go to space. We need to inspire the next generation to become engaged in space and in science in general, to ask questions: What will we find when we go to space? Is there alien life, or are we alone? What will a sunset on Mars look like?"</p><p>Also in the interview, Hawking discussed <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-watch/" target="_blank">President Donald Trump</a> and <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a>.</p><div id="a69ee" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="MOR3H71524750156"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="737766897693937664" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Stephen Hawking: One Thing Threatens Us More Than Donald Trump ... Climate Change https://t.co/SDpsKZL3MH @tcktcktck @globalgreen</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/737766897693937664">1464732310.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The renowned scientist said that Trump's promise of the controversial <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-mexico-wall-wildlife-2315267998.html">border wall</a> and the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-dakota-access-pipeline-2211697835.html">sanctioning</a> of the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/keystone-xl">Keystone XL</a> and <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/dakota-access-pipeline">Dakota Access</a> pipelines are designed to "satisfy [Trump's] electorate, who are neither liberal nor that well-informed."<br></p><p>Not only that, Hawking said that Trump should replace <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/scott-pruitt">Scott Pruitt</a> as the head of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency because he is "a man who does not believe that carbon dioxide causes <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a>."</p><p><span></span>"Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it's one we can prevent," Hawking said. "It affects America badly, so tackling it should win votes for [Trump's] second term—God forbid."</p><div id="f6d0f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="CJ2Q2P1524750157"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="840335239016808448" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">EPA Chief Denies CO2 as Primary Driver of Climate Change https://t.co/gHj2KJDrQm @tcktcktck @OneWorld_News</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/840335239016808448">1489186508.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Hawking commented that the current administration's seemingly anti-science agenda has made him feel unwelcome. </p><p>"I have many friends and colleagues [in the U.S.] and it is still a place I like and admire in many ways," he said, "but I fear that I may not be welcome."</p><p>Hawking has said similar remarks before. He <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-one-thing-threatens-us-more-than-donald-trump-climate--1891149035.html" target="_blank">called</a> then-candidate Trump a "demagogue, who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator."</p><p>And during a lecture last year, he predicted that humanity has only 1,000 years left on Earth and we must find another planet to live on. </p><p>"[W]e must ... continue to go into space for the future of humanity," professor Hawking <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/professor-stephen-hawking-humanity-wont-survive-1000-years-on-earth-a7417366.html" target="_blank">said</a>. <span></span>"I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet."</p>
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Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is one of the most intelligent individuals on the planet, which is why his assertion that humanity has only 1,000 years left on Earth and must find another place to colonize is incredibly frightening.
<p>
"[W]e must ... continue to go into space for the future of humanity," professor Hawking <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/professor-stephen-hawking-humanity-wont-survive-1000-years-on-earth-a7417366.html" target="_blank">said</a> in a lecture on "The Origins of the Universe" at Britain's Oxford University Union earlier this week.
</p><p>
According to the <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/732606/Stephen-Hawking-end-of-the-world" target="_blank">Daily Express</a>, the 74-year-old scientist warned that humans are <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/humans-consumption-of-earths-natural-resources-tripled-in-40-years-1943126747.html">using up Earth's ecological resources</a> faster than it can be replenished. </p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed"></p><div id="98834" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="432MMZ1524749911"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="763976732961443841" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Human Consumption of Earth's Natural Resources Has Tripled in 40 Years via @EcoWatch https://t.co/fi5IO7hF8P #deforestation #biodiversity</div> — Green Bean (@Green Bean)<a href="https://twitter.com/iamgreenbean/statuses/763976732961443841">1470981221.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p>
"I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet," Hawking said.
</p><p>
<span></span>Also in his talk, Hawking discussed creation myths, Einstein's theory of relativity and how "the expansion of the universe was one of the most important discoveries of the 20th, or indeed any, century."
</p><p>
He urged more <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=space%20travel%20ecowatch" target="_blank">space travel</a> to advance our quest in understanding ourselves. "We must continue exploring space in order to improve our knowledge of humanity. We must go beyond our humble planet," he said.
</p><p>
Hawking's speech ended on an encouraging note. "Remember to look up at the stars, not at your feet. Try to make sense of the wonder that is around you," he said. "No matter how difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and be good at."<br>
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="d8fa0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="LFT0H11524749911"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="798267047264288773" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Stephen Hawking: Remember to look up at the stars, not at your feet. Try to make sense of the wonder that is around you.</div> — Oxford Union (@Oxford Union)<a href="https://twitter.com/OxfordUnion/statuses/798267047264288773">1479156669.0</a></blockquote></div>
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This is not the first time that Hawking has made such dire warnings about the end times. At a January talk with <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35344664" target="_blank">BBC Reith Lectures</a>, he said that nuclear war, <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a>, genetically-engineered viruses and the rise of artificial intelligence spell planetary doom. <br>
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And in an interview with Larry King in June, Hawking <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-to-larry-king-we-certainly-have-not-become-less-greedy-1896549219.html" target="_blank">described</a> how an increase in air pollution, emissions of carbon dioxide and overpopulation are major threats to humanity.
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"Six years ago I was warning about pollution and overcrowding, they have gotten worse since then," Hawking said. "The population has grown by half a billion since our last meeting with no end in sight. At this rate, it will be 11 billion by 2100. Air pollution has increased by 8 percent over the past five years."
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<span></span>The world-renowned scientist is often asked to explain the universe's most baffling mysteries but he was stumped in May when he was <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-one-thing-threatens-us-more-than-donald-trump-climate--1891149035.html">asked to explain the rise of Donald Trump</a>.
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<span></span>“I can't," Hawking replied. "He is a demagogue, who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator."
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However, he added that “a more immediate danger is runaway climate change."
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"A rise in ocean temperature would melt the ice-caps and cause a release of large amounts of carbon dioxide from the ocean floor," he continued. "Both effects could make our climate like that of Venus, with a temperature of 250 degrees."
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<a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/stephen-hawking-climate-change-2011284874.html">In September</a>, Hawking was one of 375 members of the National Academy of Sciences that signed an <a href="http://responsiblescientists.org/" target="_blank">open letter</a> that warned that America's withdrawal from the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-paris-climate-agreement-2094468021.html">Paris agreement</a> would hurt the nation's international credibility and undermine the climate pact.
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Your move, <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-watch/">Mr. President-elect</a>.</p>
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