00:00Only two of 29 nearby Earth-like planets might host life more advanced than ours, despite
00:06being billions of years older.
00:08Scientists say this could be because photosynthesis, the process plants use to capture energy,
00:13is far less effective on most of these worlds.
00:16That means life's complexity depends more on cumulative plant energy than just time
00:21passing.
00:22Many of these planets orbit red dwarf stars, which provide less light and often have one
00:28side locked away from the star, cutting photosynthesis in half.
00:32For example, TRAPPIST-1E, 40 light-years away, may have fixed only 21% of Earth's total carbon
00:40through photosynthesis, suggesting it's stuck at a microbial stage.
00:44Rainfall also limits plant growth, so even older planets might resemble deserts rather
00:49than lush environments.
00:51Most of those planets will just be filled with microbes and not advanced aliens, says Chris
00:56Doty, lead author and professor at Northern Arizona University.
01:00Disclosure, this video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted
01:05tools.
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