Is There Enough “Space” for us on Earth

Climate change and Global Warming are both very real issues. Those who doubt the existence of these issues either have their head up there ass or are living under a rock. The damage has been and will continue to be done as major factories and companies release toxins into the air. I watch the Dupont chemical factory spew out its toxins into the air regularly, and it is ironic they donated so much money to the hospital probably to help all the kids they are poisoning. California is experiencing the worst wildfire season in its history. The hurricanes and storms are worse now than ever before. The polar ice caps are melting down daily. We are constantly tapping into our limited supply of resources that are absolutely necessary for human existence and life. So what happens when we finally run out of resources or when mother nature fights back and earth is destroyed by some natural major disaster, we need to find another home. This leads into Space Colonization. The idea of colonizing space is intriguing but a highly debatable topic. However, unless we come up with a solution or find a way to colonize space, the human race might not prosper for much longer. 

            Space Colonization requires a lot of thought. It is very complex as it is a “permanent human habitation and exploitation of natural resources off the planet Earth.” Essentially, we would need to transport or duplicate all of our essential resources. Along with this we would need to figure out how to create technology far more advanced than anything today like self-regulating ecosystems and a breathable atmosphere in space. But it is not just about resources, it is also about finding the right location and also being able to adapt psychologically. Although space sounds very fun and exciting “the monotony and loneliness that come…from a prolonged space mission can leave astronauts susceptible to cabin fever or having a psychotic break. Moreover, lack of sleep, fatigue, and work overload can affect an astronaut's ability to perform well in an environment such as space where every action is critical.” So, it would be fair to say we will need to figure out how to create a society around combating these issues, thus to prevent a mass psychotic episode. It would be fair to say that creating a society in space would be complex. But when we look at the other options, I personally believe we can find a way to make it work if necessary. 

            The benefits of society in space would outweigh the risks depending upon our technological advancements in the next few decades. There are a plethora of reasons why we should move to space if possible, but the main reasons are for the preservation of human life, expansion of society into other galaxies, and the advancement of our society monetarily and socially. According to the article “In a 2001 interview with Freeman Dyson, J. Richard Gott and Sid Goldstein, they were asked for reasons why some humans should live in space. Their answers were: Spread life and beauty throughout the universe, Ensure the survival of our species Make money through new forms of space commercialization such as solar-power satellites, asteroid mining, and space manufacturing, Save the environment of Earth by moving people and industry into space.” This is similar to when the Europeans would voyage west in search of new trade routes and more resources. Like that of Columbus, we could very well engage with a foreign being, but will need to be strategic and friendly rather than slaughter their entire race. We also will be operating in unknown waters so the first few years will basically just be a huge social experiment, and from there the government can review what they need to change, and any special adaptations that need to be made for the sake of our emotional health and/or mental stability. 

            There are some issues we face if we are going to colonize in space, but there will be a problem regardless if we do nothing and continue poisoning our environment. It is because of the damage that has been done, along with our excessive use of resources, that we have reached the point we have. Currently, as American’s we are living in a state of emergency, our country is an absolute mess, and not just because of the pandemic. There are many more issues, such as the fires, protests, riots, the election, and super storms, just to name a few. These are all issues that can and likely will continue to get worse as global warming is not stopping any time soon. In conclusion, We need to start looking into colonizing space because this idea is possible; it just requires an abundance of thought and money.