Future of Earth
The biological and geological future of Earth can be extrapolated based upon the estimated effects of several long-term influences. These include the chemistry at Earth 's surface, the rate of cooling of the planet's interior , the gravitational interactions with other objects in the Solar System , and a steady increase in the Sun's luminosity . An uncertain factor in this extrapolation is the ongoing influence of technology introduced by humans, such as climate engineering , [2] which could cause significant changes to the planet. [3] [4] The current Holocene extinction [5] is being caused by technology [6] and the effects may last for up to five million years. [7] In turn, technology may result in the extinction of humanity , leaving the planet to gradually return to a slower evolutionary pace resulting solely from long-term natural processes. [8] [9] Over time interva...