What could completely annihilate our species, and what can we do about it?

What events do we know about that could cause an extinction of the human race, and do those in power have plans in place in case these events happened?

I can think of a few off the top of my head, and encourage other members to come forward with possible extinction events and solutions!

1. Meteor from outer space. It is well known that a meteor destroyed a very large percentage of life on Earth 65 million years ago, and it will happen again in the future of our planet. We should have plans in place in case this occurs again, as it is probable that it will. If we survive that long it is likely to be a genuine problem in the future of our species, so something should be done in case.
en.wikipedia.org...

2. Supervolcano. The Toba supereruption took place 69-77,000 years ago. There's a theory that it signifcantly reduced the world's human population, down to possibly 10,000 breeding pairs. If a larger eruption takes place again our population may be completely destroyed. Is there anything we can do about this?
en.wikipedia.org...

3. Alien intervention. Some may ridicule this, but I view it as a definite possibility. I am of the opinion that the universe is teeming with life, and that there is a lot of planet visiting that goes on out there. Who's to say an intelligent predatory alien species won't find it's way into our solar system, notice a planet surrounded with satellites and giving off large concentrated heat signatures, and come for our resources? I don't think there would be anything we could do in this situation as if there were travelling in space to find us they would be a lot more technologically advanced than us and may be able to destroy all life on earth instantly, or deploy a virus that specifically kills human beings. Who knows, eh?

4. Wiping ourselves out. Nuclear technology is scary today, I'm sure in the future the tech will be even more scary. If any country launched a nuke at America, I'm pretty sure they'd fire one back for the hell of it. Other countries might get involved, who knows? This seems inevitable to happen with the warlike nature of our species, maybe countries should invest in nuke defence systems individally?
en.wikipedia.org...

If anyone has any more ideas, please post a comment!

Cheers, Ben

Get rid of all nuclear armaments. Every single one of them. No one needs them, no one should have them. They release the proverbial hell on Earth.

Honestly,
Knowing and remembering that i preexisted prior to being on this earth and embodied in flesh, i would rather we all bring an end to this physical realm. Lets look around see the wars, rapes, murders, child prostitution, and world hunger

Since we preexist as units of consciousness, it`d be better to remain as we naturally have always been. If something takes us all out, so be it

reply to post by BenTFH


Super virus created by us that backfires and wipes out every living thing.

To the first part of your post .......anything could wipe us out here, to the second part of your post .....there is not one damn thing that can be done about it.

Regards, Iwinder

A super virus...or, didn't someone say if bee's go extinct, we'll go extinct....I'll go with either of them.

It is difficult to imagine that we would be able to have any understanding of how to handle a real
serious crisis such as a complete species annihilation. Maybe the only way to truly have a chance is
to follow the Rockefeller and the Gates family to the Norway seed bank

Originally posted by Lil Drummerboy
It is difficult to imagine that we would be able to have any understanding of how to handle a real
serious crisis such as a complete species annihilation. Maybe the only way to truly have a chance is
to follow the Rockefeller and the Gates family to the Norway seed bank

Good post there sir/madame but seeds won't do you squat if there is nowhere to plant them.
Food for thought though and pun is intended here.
Regards, Iwinder

reply to post by AaronWilson


I second this, there should be absolutely no reason to have a device that can kill that many members of your own species. We need to be working together in order to reach our potential!

What could completely annihilate our species?

answer: Anything that has annihilated previous species on earth.

and what can we do about it?

answer: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

reply to post by maestromason


I don't agree, as far as we have evidence for we are the most intelligent species ever to have lived on Earth. With technology, maths and self understanding we give ourselves both a way to ensure our survival and a reason to.

I'd say a near by supernova and the ensuing gamma ray radiation that's a culprit in some of the past mass extinctions. not to much ya can do about that one.

reply to post by flyingdutchman2112


That seems like the most certain destruction so far, surely no life at all on Earth would survive an event like that. Possibly just deep sea bacteria?

reply to post by BenTFH


This planet has had its fair share of extinctions and will continue to until the sun dies.

I disagree, and refer to my first post.

reply to post by maestromason


With great power comes great responsibility.

reply to post by skepticconwatcher


Could always happen, medical sciences are advancing quickly too. I'm sure our species would be quick to view any breakthrough as 'how could this kill people'. Who knows?!

Great thread, my personal views mankind will be the end of mankind, pure greed and religion..that is what will end the world as we know it...

lol i am surprised people are looking to outer space and nuclear war as candidates for annihilation. Annihalation is closer to home than you realise and its our own doing. Read up on gaia theory and look at what we have done to the enviornment and to the other inhabitants of this world. Without either of these this planet cannot support a diverse ecosystem and we are destroying and killing left right and centre because most feel its their right as we are top of the food chain?
To understand this concept just think of the warming of the oceans, Warmer water equals less oxygen and so most sealife will migrate to colder waters. These colder waters are over fished and more marine life will die through overfishing and of the way fishing is done ie trawling nets etc. Not to mention the pollution that is circulating around our oceans and seas.
Such a mass die of in marine life will result in mass die offs on land as animals who depend on the sea will starve. Those animals that depend on the birds and other land animals will die soon after , The food chain will be broken and it will have a devastating domino effect.
So Humans will annihalate themselves through their own stupidity

reply to post by union_jack


Thank you!
I also think Religion could have lead to the end of our species. Enough people have died for it already, who's to say that future extremists won't have the view that humanity will ascend to a higher place and 'do us all a favour'?