We need early warning systems, technologies to deflect an asteroid - and we need political preparedness as well. It needs to be clear who is to decide what, who launches the rockets, who presents which bills to its citizens. This is a planetary decision. We need to do this all together. Or it will not happen.

It is not enough to do a desktop exercise of a Beethoven symphony. You need to practice with an orchestra. The musicians need to read the notes. Otherwise it will be a disaster.

You almost wish you could turn off the COMM and just appreciate the deafening quiet.

We can both prevent asteroid impacts and address climate change. It's not either-or.

Anytime we can save lives or prevent the destruction of property, we should do it.

There's no accepted global policy on what to do about asteroid impacts.

By preventing dangerous asteroid strikes, we can save millions of people, or even our entire species. And, as human beings, we can take responsibility for preserving this amazing evolutionary experiment of which we and all life on Earth are a part.