“Alien Civilization Could Destroy Planet in Less Than 1,000 Years with Climate Change, Even Using Renewable Energy”

A new study suggests that an advanced alien civilization could potentially destroy its own planet with climate change in less than 1,000 years, even if it relies solely on renewable energy sources. The research, conducted by astrophysicists and posted on the preprint database arXiv, explores the rise and fall of alien civilizations and the implications for life beyond our planet.

The study was initially inspired by human energy use, which has grown exponentially since the 1800s. In 2023, humans used approximately 180,000 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy, much of which is produced by gas and coal, contributing to the unsustainable heating of the planet. Even if all energy were generated from renewable sources like wind and solar power, the demand for energy would continue to grow as civilization expands.

Astrophysicist Manasvi Lingam, a co-author of the study, explained that the laws of thermodynamics predict inevitable leakage of energy in any system, leading to a planet heating up over time. This leakage, even from green energy sources, could eventually make a planet uninhabitable due to climate change. The researchers found that if energy levels are not controlled, this catastrophic level of climate change could occur in less than 1,000 years from the start of energy production.

The implications of this research extend beyond alien civilizations, affecting the search for life elsewhere in the cosmos. The 1,000-year limit poses a challenge for astrobiologists, as planets like Earth took hundreds of millions of years to become habitable. However, Lingam suggests that civilizations could choose to flatline their growth and live in harmony with their surroundings to avoid extinction.

In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of sustainable energy practices and the potential consequences of exponential energy use on a planetary scale. By understanding the impact of energy consumption on habitability, both humans and alien civilizations can make informed decisions to ensure the long-term survival of their planets.