Ricky Gervais isn’t bothered by threats to the future of humanity, as he thinks the world would be a better place without people.
The After Life star has long been a staunch supporter of animal rights, and recently signed a letter backing moves to ban the ownership of exotic pets in the U.K.
Speaking on Nicky Campbell’s pet-themed podcast One of the Family, Ricky said humans wouldn’t be missed if we were to be wiped out – as the planet would heal.
“We are part of nature – we are not above it – we are not in charge,” he mused. “We are not even the most important species. If we were wiped out tomorrow the world would be a better place… it would go back and it would be perfect again.”
Describing humans’ over-inflated sense of their place in the scheme of things, he added: “If bees are wiped out, we’re all screwed. We’re not as important as bees – we are one great ape, that’s all we are.
“What exists now, which may be between 5-10 million species of animal, including insects…they are only 1 percent of the species that have ever existed. 99 percent of all species are now extinct, and we are responsible for a big chunk of them in the last 200 years.”
However, he went on to insist that he’s not a misanthrope, saying: “I like people, they are just not my favorite animal.”
