Re: The future of life
There are studies suggesting pluricellular life arose 700 million years ago, just after the Earth had been totally covered with ice; only volcanism allowed greenhouse gases to expand and melt the ice and start a whole new life evolution.
Now, well, one day (shortly in Earth's story), there won't be humans left....just insects. They will survive us.
Another way might be Gaia (I like the theory): Gaia doesn't care what's inside it, Gaia doesn't have plans. Well, either Gaia exists or it doesn't, but it's mainly the way we look at it.
Raoul