The current means of escape for the world (5)

I believe the answer is:

earth

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'world' is the definition.
(I know that world can be written as earth)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for earth that I've seen before include "Where some creatures live" , "See 12" , "Solid ground" , "our home" , "our present abode" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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