I agree with him. Since we are here, life elsewhere certainly is possible. However, it’s highly improbable.
Just one of many facts to consider: the Earth is 4.5 billion years old, but it took almost 4 billion years for life to appear on land, even though Earth is friendly to life.
We also could have stayed at the non-technological level forever. Hunter Gather or even Roman level of technology.
Our world and civilization is really a marvel and needs to be protected at all costs.