What You Need to Know
While colonization of other planets may not be front page news right now, the choices we make regarding this issue will likely have profound effects on things that are, like climate change, public health, the economy, and technology. Our governments aren't investing much time or energy into it yet, but private companies, like SpaceX and Mars One, led by motivated individuals with big dreams certainly are.
It is important that well-informed citizens make themselves aware of the key issues and positions of people on various sides of the issue. Economists, politicians, scientists, engineers, taxpayers, and environmentalists are all stakeholders in this argument. |
On
this digital forum, the arguments made by a variety of these different
stakeholders will be detailed, allowing you to start to make up your mind on
the issue of whether or not we should devote resources towards
colonizing other planets and, if so, whether we should do it now or
later.
The issue of space colonization revolves around several compelling questions: Would it help or hurt the survival of the species? Do we currently possess the technology to successfully colonize other planets? What is the financial viability of space colonization when compared to other long term solutions to planet level crises? What are the societal and political implications of settling extraterrestrial bodies?
The chart below previews the main positions held by various stakeholders on the topic of space colonization and their typical arguments. Keep this in mind as you read through each position in detail.
The issue of space colonization revolves around several compelling questions: Would it help or hurt the survival of the species? Do we currently possess the technology to successfully colonize other planets? What is the financial viability of space colonization when compared to other long term solutions to planet level crises? What are the societal and political implications of settling extraterrestrial bodies?
The chart below previews the main positions held by various stakeholders on the topic of space colonization and their typical arguments. Keep this in mind as you read through each position in detail.
Finally, the required reading list below provides a few of the scholarly resources you should definitely read in order to get a thorough understanding of the topic. As these are academic sources and thus are fairly specific for the most part, it is recommended that the reader first read through the summaries of different arguments and numerous links to popular sources on this forum to get a well-informed audience's view of the situation.
Required Reading
Anker, Peder. "The Ecological Colonization of Space." Environmental History. 10.2:239-68. WorldCat. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.
In this paper, Anker discusses the relationship between ecology and the space program throughout history and how the two have informed and built upon each other. He discusses the idea of "Spaceship Earth" and the connection between exploring sustainable stewardship of our own planet and exploring colonization of other planets. He concludes with a discussion of the lessons learned from the failed Biosphere 2 experiment into self-contained habitats. This text serves as a good introduction to the historical background behind human colonization initiatives and its impacts both the past and future on our home planet.
Diamandis, Peter. "Our Next Giant Leap." TEDGlobal 2005. July 2005. TED. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
In this TED talk Peter Diamandis, space activist and founder of the X Prize foundation, discusses reasons for colonizing space, claiming that it is a moral imperative. He cites a variety of motivators for succeeding in this goal including curiosity, fear, and wealth. He explains how private companies are better prepared to take the risks necessary to succeed in colonization than big companies and organizations like Boeing and NASA. Diamandis finishes by explaining the value of prizes like the X Prize for motivating small groups to make the advances necessary to make cheap space flight and colonization a reality.
In this paper, Anker discusses the relationship between ecology and the space program throughout history and how the two have informed and built upon each other. He discusses the idea of "Spaceship Earth" and the connection between exploring sustainable stewardship of our own planet and exploring colonization of other planets. He concludes with a discussion of the lessons learned from the failed Biosphere 2 experiment into self-contained habitats. This text serves as a good introduction to the historical background behind human colonization initiatives and its impacts both the past and future on our home planet.
Diamandis, Peter. "Our Next Giant Leap." TEDGlobal 2005. July 2005. TED. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
In this TED talk Peter Diamandis, space activist and founder of the X Prize foundation, discusses reasons for colonizing space, claiming that it is a moral imperative. He cites a variety of motivators for succeeding in this goal including curiosity, fear, and wealth. He explains how private companies are better prepared to take the risks necessary to succeed in colonization than big companies and organizations like Boeing and NASA. Diamandis finishes by explaining the value of prizes like the X Prize for motivating small groups to make the advances necessary to make cheap space flight and colonization a reality.
McKay, Christopher, and Margarita Marinova. "The Physics, Biology, and Environmental Ethics of Making Mars Habitable." Astrobiology 1.1 (2001): 89-109. WorldCat Web. 4 Nov 2014.
This source provides a solid scientific background on the concepts of terraforming other planets, in particular Mars. It provides insight in how we could potentially use existing materials and elements on Mars to craft a planet that can naturally support human life. In addition to this technical information, the paper provides some essential discussion of the ethics associated with terraforming as well as a list of questions and areas for further research if we are to pursue this path in regards to colonization.
Poynter, Jane. "Life in Biosphere 2." TEDxUSC. Mar. 2009. TED. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
In this TED talk, Jane Poynter, a participant in the 1991-1993 Biosphere 2 experiment into closed habitats, describes her experience living in the closed system for two years. Poynter explains how this was a key step in learning more about self-supporting habitats and life support, which will be essential in any future colonization endeavors. She points out that while the experiment itself proved to be a failure due to lost oxygen, it brought us significant advances in terms of life support technology and understanding of our own terrestrial biosphere. It serves as an intriguing personal story into the world of life support and self-sustaining ecosystems.
This source provides a solid scientific background on the concepts of terraforming other planets, in particular Mars. It provides insight in how we could potentially use existing materials and elements on Mars to craft a planet that can naturally support human life. In addition to this technical information, the paper provides some essential discussion of the ethics associated with terraforming as well as a list of questions and areas for further research if we are to pursue this path in regards to colonization.
Poynter, Jane. "Life in Biosphere 2." TEDxUSC. Mar. 2009. TED. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
In this TED talk, Jane Poynter, a participant in the 1991-1993 Biosphere 2 experiment into closed habitats, describes her experience living in the closed system for two years. Poynter explains how this was a key step in learning more about self-supporting habitats and life support, which will be essential in any future colonization endeavors. She points out that while the experiment itself proved to be a failure due to lost oxygen, it brought us significant advances in terms of life support technology and understanding of our own terrestrial biosphere. It serves as an intriguing personal story into the world of life support and self-sustaining ecosystems.
Williams, Lynda. “Irrational Dreams of Space Colonization.” Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice 22:4-8. WorldCat. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
In this article, Williams considers the political and environmental consequences, as well as the technological difficulties, associated with colonizing extraterrestrial bodies. Her paper summarizes some of the major arguments for space colonization, and then she raises a variety of different counterarguments. She argues that the threats space colonization purports to protect us against, such as climate change, would be better met if we face them directly, rather than having our brightest minds pursue the technological and scientific advances needed for space colonization. She also worries about the start of another space race and concurrent political strife as nations seek to claim military control over the moon and near-Earth orbits. It serves as a helpful overview to some of the positions held by those who think that space colonization isn't something we should pursue.