We need to broaden our sympathies both in space and time - and perceive ourselves as part of a long heritage, and stewards for an immense future.

[on the future of life on earth] Devastation could arise insidiously, rather than suddenly, through unsustainable pressure on energy supplies, food, water and other natural resources. Indeed, these pressures are the prime 'threats without enemies' that confront us. On the other hand, twenty billion people could live sustainably, with a high quality of life, if all adopted a vegetarian diet, traveling little but interacting via a super-Internet and virtual reality.

[on the possibility of future life beyond the Earth, inhabiting asteroids and other planets] I think those people out there will develop into new species because they will use genetic modification to redesign themselves to match the alien environment. I think a few hundred years from now we'll start having the 'posthuman' era of different species.

I have no religious belief myself, but I don't think we should fight about it. In particular, I think that we should not rubbish moderate religious leaders like the Archbishop of Canterbury because I think we all agree that extreme fundamentalism is a threat, and we need all the allies we can muster against it. I would regard the leaders of the mainstream churches as being on our side.