The discussion shifts to the global energy crisis, with Dr. Kaku arguing that we have reached Hubbert"s peak for planetary oil reserves. He outlines a timeline where the rising cost of oil and the falling cost of solar hydrogen will cross within 15 to 20 years, forcing a transition away from fossil fuels. He warns that mass migrations caused by climate change could eventually threaten national borders.
Art and Dr. Kaku then turn to SETI, energized by Paul Allen"s 25 million dollar investment in the Allen Telescope Array. This 350-dish system will increase search capability a thousandfold. Dr. Kaku describes the upcoming Kepler satellite mission to identify hundreds of Earth-like planets and puts the probability of intelligent life in the universe at nearly 100 percent.
Key Moments
Dark energy and the cold death of the universe: Kaku explains that dark energy makes up about 73% of the universe and is accelerating its expansion, eventually leaving the night sky totally dark and the universe dying in ice rather than fire.
Drilling a hole into a parallel universe: Kaku says intelligent civilizations may one day have to drill a hole in space, build a lifeboat, and leap through 11-dimensional hyperspace into a younger parallel universe to start over.
Martin Rees gives humanity 50/50 odds of reaching 2100: Kaku relays Royal Astronomer Sir Martin Rees's estimate that humanity has only 50/50 odds of surviving to the year 2100, threatened by engineered germs, uranium, or runaway global warming.
Paul Allen funds the 'Manhattan Project of SETI': Kaku highlights the just-launched Allen Telescope Array, funded by Paul Allen with $25 million, calling it a Manhattan Project for SETI that will eventually field 350 dishes and boost search sensitivity a thousand-fold.
Earth as a Type 0 civilization that should stay quiet: Asked to flip the perspective, Kaku says any advanced eavesdroppers would view Earth as a primitive Type 0 civilization fresh out of the swamp, and warns we should not advertise our location until we know aliens' intentions.