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End of the world
2 June 2006
Professor Bill McGuire, Director of the UCL Benfield Hazard Research Centre, has written four short films for Channel 5.
The 'End of the World' films, each of which tackles a potential apocalypse scenario, will be presented by Professor McGuire beginning on 5 June 2006.The Earth is home to 1,400 earthquakes a day and one volcanic eruption a week as well as constantly rising greenhouse gas emissions leading to inexorably climbing temperatures. The threats of asteroids, tsunamis, volcanic super-eruptions and climate change will all be addressed by Professor McGuire, who believes that one or other of these global geophysical events will ultimately bring the world as we know it to an end.
Commenting on the series Professor McGuire said: "While obliterating the entire planet and consigning the human race to the cosmic dustbin is a pretty tall order, there is no doubt our comfortable cosy world is going to end. Our civilisation has grown and developed during a time of geological and climatic calm, but the storm clouds are gathering.
"Climate change due to human activities is the greatest threat our race has ever faced and it is happening now. Things are going to get bad whatever we do, but if we do nothing we will consign our children and their children to a life of hell."
The 'End of the World' will be shown on Channel Five News at 11.30am 5.30pm and 7pm on 5, 6, 7 and 8 June, and will be shown on Sky News at a later date. To find out more about the UCL Benfield Hazard Research Centre, use the link at the bottom of this article.
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