If tomorrow comes (5)

Lin Shaohua, a professor of literature at the Ocean University of China, agrees with Liu's apportioning of responsibility, saying, "If the end of the world does come, human beings will be to blame. It is their avarice and selfishness that is bringing them closer to their doom."

He is placing less stock in guessing whether or not the prophecy will prove true than in what effect the panic has had on people's psyches.

"It has prompted people to introspection," says Lin, who is famous for translating dozens of novels written by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami into Chinese.

"Human beings should learn to care, from a bee to nature as a whole, even the universe," he adds.

Professor Zhao Jinping from the Ocean University of China has more concrete reasons for worry about Earth's prospects -- the scientist knows that the average temperature registered in the Arctic has increased dramatically over the past 17 years.

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