You know, I finally agree with Neil Degrasse Tyson, we're definitely putting too much Money in the wrong direction.
In a world damned with so many problems, it obviously saddens to see the resources being misappropriated on ventures which seem alien from the burning questions we have here on Earth.
Such is the case with this recent obsession of spending huge sums of money on trips to Mars. While grappling with rising environmental crises, poverty and countless other pressing concerns, it is high time we questioned why we value space exploration over our own planet’s needs.
Human activity has caused untold damage to our beautiful blue planet.
Wildfires, hurricanes and floods that occur as a result of climate change have become more frequent and severe.
The level of oceans keeps increasing endangering coastal settlements as ecosystems in different areas continue being destroyed by deforestation and pollution.
These problems need urgent attention and major resources in order to mitigate their destructive effects. Nevertheless, instead of listening to the screams coming out from earth itself, we are preoccupied with celestial bodies that are far away from us.
The cost of space exploration, in particular missions to Mars, is out of this world.
These interplanetary projects have seen billions of dollars invested into them.
Think about this funding directed towards poverty eradication, bettering education systems or investing into renewable energy sources.
This is contrasted to the huge sums of money being wasted on a project that seems to be offering nothing significant for the majority of human population.
But while billions are spent by space agencies and private companies on Mars missions, there are millions who do not have enough food or clean water. Pervasive poverty, hunger, lack of clean water and healthcare affect huge parts of populations all over the globe. Instead of doing so we see how these vulnerable groups are forgotten as they divert funds from their rescue to tantalizing space expeditions.
It’s just an indication that we’ve lost our priorities.
It is our moral obligation to save our planet since there are imminent environmental disasters. We all live in interconnected earth ecosystems, hence the harm we do to them affects all living things. The money which could have been used for mitigating climate change through sustainable practices is being diverted to Mars instead.
It’s like putting the deck chairs in order on a sinking Titanic. We must face it that Earth’s problems should be our first priority.
Those who support missions to Mars argue that these expeditions promote technological advancement. On one hand, this may be true; but on the other hand, what if these developments were channeled towards solving Earth’s problems?
By investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and efficient waste management systems, we can radically transform the world.
We must stop looking up at the stars and develop our creativity in order to create a self-sustaining Earth.
While we dream of aliens from other planets, it is imperative that we remain aware of the problems facing us here on Earth.
The inappropriate utilization of resources for Mars missions is symbolic of misplaced priorities. We are required to attend to immediate problems such as poverty, degradation of the environment and social inequity.
Only if our resources are diverted back towards this planet can we begin to build an earth worth exploring. Let’s not forget the saying that charity begins at home.