Definitely, if the species is to survive, it has to move off-planet. There's no question about that. But, doesn't that still just serve mankind? Unless you think the Universe has a burning need to be populated by humans, I mean. Who knows? Maybe it does.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll be among those moving off-planet. I'll have to settle for my "higher purpose" here. (Unless someone offers me a ride on a Firefly Class ship. I own a Bowie knife and guns and my own cunning hat, and a paper umbrella, and plastic dinosaurs, so I'll fit right in.)