Re: Terraforming Mars
- From: Jim Logajan <JamesL@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 03:42:51 -0000
NGottert3@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Do you think it is a good idea to terraform Mars or the moon or any
> other planet?
The question is premature. No rational motivation exists at this time
(though plenty of rationalizations exist). Rich western nations are unable
to even make moderate sized areas of deserts and semi-deserts on the Earth
sustain an agricultural base without huge subsidies[1], so it is safe to
say that the technological capability doesn't exist either.
However, since human population is likely to peak at ~9 billion around
2050[2] there doesn't seem to be any future motivation re population
pressure (excluding the enormous cost to move even a fraction of the human
population to the moon or another planet).
Finally, tourism and scientific research will almost certainly provoke
motivations toward minimal exploitation and changes of other planets.
[1] "Cadillac Desert" by Marc Reisner, 1993
[2] http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2002/note5717.doc.htm
.
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