Beliefs about Human Extinction

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Futures

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2009.07.001· OSTI ID:989141

Tonn, Bruce Edward ^[1]

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1. ORNL

This paper presents the results of a web-based survey about futures issues. Among many questions, respondents were asked whether they believe humans will become extinct. Forty-five percent of the almost 600 respondents believe that humans will become extinct. Many of those holding this believe felt that humans could become extinct within 500-1000 years. Others estimated extinction 5000 or more years into the future. A logistic regression model was estimated to explore the bases for this belief. It was found that people who describe themselves a secular are more likely to hold this belief than people who describe themselves as being Protestant. Older respondents and those who believe that humans have little control over their future also hold this belief. In addition, people who are more apt to think about the future and are better able to imagine potential futures tend to also believe that humans will become extinct.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 989141
• Journal Information: Futures, Journal Name: Futures Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 41; ISSN 0016-3287
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
DEATH
FORECASTING
HUMAN POPULATIONS
PROBABILISTIC ESTIMATION