"For The Survival Of The Species"

When world-renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking speaks, people listen... and he had quite a message for the audience at a Hong Kong news conference Tuesday.

"We won't find anywhere as nice as Earth unless we go to another star system," Hawking told the audience, citing the increased risk a disaster could destroy the Earth.

The Associated Press reports Hawking said if mankind can avoid destroying itself in the next 100 years, that will give humans the time to establish self-sustaining settlements in space that could function without any support from Earth.

"It is important for the human race to spread out into space for the survival of the species," Hawking added. "Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of."

Hawking said humans could establish a permanent base on the moon within 20 years... and a Martian colony in 40.

The 64-year-old scientist, and author of "A Brief History Of Time" and "The Universe in a Nutshell", added he is collaborating with his daughter on a children's book -- aimed at the Harry Potter-crowd -- that could give children an introduction to astrophysics.

"It is a story for children, which explains the wonders of the universe," his daughter, Lucy, added.

FMI: www.hawking.org.uk