threats that may bring the Apocalypse.
Researchers from the Institute for the Future of Humanity, University of Oxford and the Foundation for the Global Challenges have made the first valid scientific assessment of the potential risks which may lead to the end of the world.
Some of the 12 scenarios presented by the researchers are out of our control, but most is the result of our own efforts for developments and innovations in the field of Technology and Science.
The report mentions that “the aim is not only to present the possible scenarios that will lead to our extinction, but mainly to be a call to take action, on the basis of a hypothetical treaty that the human species can respond to challenges and turn them into opportunities”.
1. Deadly pandemic
The infectious disease will be a combination of traits such as the inability therapy (such as Ebola), increased mortality (such as rabies), the increased transmissibility (such as the common cold) and the long incubation period (like HIV). If such a virus starts to spread before being detected the risk, health systems around the world will have to move with unmatched speed and to allocate considerable resources to save humanity.
2. Synthetic Biology
Genetic Engineering allows the creation of micro-organisms with incredible potential, who may turn out to be σωτήÏιοι in the treatment of diseases. But can also be used to serve evil purposes, as it is likely to lead to the creation of a pathogen with devastating consequences for the human body, or some vital part of the global ecosystem. This can happen due to erroneous manipulations, or deliberately as an act of bio-terrorism.
3. Nanotechnology
The production techniques of precision can lead to the manufacture of materials with unique properties, but may be a component of horrific super-weapons. There is also a possibility to take over the planet intelligent nano-robots that spawn automatically.
4. Collision with an asteroid
Asteroids with a diameter of at least 5 miles –that is, large enough to wipe out every trace of civilization from the planet to collide with Earth every 20 million years. The developments in the technology of detection of such threats will allow maybe to avoid the conflict and to put the asteroid into a safe orbit.
5. Artificial intelligence
No one knows whether there is a real risk of being annihilated by the attack machine with artificial intelligence, so that is why scientists do not consider this scenario from the most likely.
6. Super-volcano
The effects of an explosion of a super-volcano would be very similar to those of the impact of a giant asteroid to Earth.
7. Ecological collapse
The complete collapse of the global ecosystem will not be able to sustain the world’s population. This is one of the most complex scenarios that can bring about the Apocalypse.
8. Unfortunate political manipulations
In this category are the wrong manipulations related to global issues, resulting in ii.x. the emergence of an inappropriate and totally corrupt global dictatorship.
9. Collapse of the world system
The economic and social collapse will include uncontrollable unrest and complete breakdown of Law and Order.
10. Extreme climate changes
The increase in the average temperature of the planet can lead to mass deaths due to famine and the expansion will bring the collapse of civilization on a global scale.
11. Nuclear war
The use of nuclear weapons may lead to the production of particles that will be dispersed in the atmosphere, by significantly reducing the solar radiation that reaches the Earth.
12. Unknown consequences
The last and most general category is known-unknown factors that may bring about the end of the world. It is an amalgam of all of the potential risks that we cannot imagine or that we believe to be extremely unlikely in isolation, but in combination can pose a significant threat.
These are the 12 possible scenarios of the Apocalypse!
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