By Bob Richards
When the idea of space resources is introduced to well meaning but uninformed people, it is not unusual for the notion to be attacked emotionally based on concerns for getting our problems here on Earth sorted out before 'wasting' money on space. The fundamental irony is, we owe our current understanding of planet Earth and global warming to space exploration and development. Lots of really smart people who care deeply about Earth and the human condition are working passionately in the race between education and catastrophe. The rationale use of space resources is part of that answer.
The notion put forward by Odyssey Moon and many others is not just staking a claim for resources on the Moon; it's about educating people and responsibly asserting humanity's rights through a variety of social, political and economic systems, including private enterprise and capitalism, to develop and utilize the energy and resources of space that surround our island Earth in infinite quantities. Every island civilization faces this dilemna; people who live in island nations are very familiar with the necessity of developing off-shore resources. The Earth as a whole is no different. The health of our home planet and the survival of our species will only be secured through the promise of space resources and the expansion of Earth's economic sphere to the Moon and beyond. The orbital economies flowing through satellites currently represent about $160 billion in annual commerce that makes our modern civilization possible. Not long ago, today's orbital space economy appeared high risk and the realm of science fiction. It needs to be expanded another order of magnitude to secure the future of our planet and our species.
The use of space resources will be essential to help offset the environmental crisis on Earth. Everything we fight about on Earth is available in infinite quantity in Space - energy, resources, and the freedom to grow new societies or expand old ones. It's nuts to plunder our planet while we have the means to deliver safe, limitless energy and materials to fuel the limitless potential of our species. Embracing the Moon into the economic sphere of Earth will be the first step to enable a growing standard of living for everyone on our planet.
Conservation is responsible and prudent but it is not the final answer. Simple laws of exponential growth will quickly overcome our linear resources and Earth's ability to cope with the realities of crushing population explosions. New wealth is created through innovation, science and motiviated minds. If we don't create an off-Earth economy and multi-planet civilization, sooner or later, we are doomed.
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precisely
That is the case for expanding into space. Infinite resources? Perhaps not. Technically. Surely enough in our Solar System to support a dazzling civilization for longer than humanity has yet trod the Earth-- and then there are other solar systems. I wouldn't quibble too much about "infinite."
Not "infinite" resources,
Not "infinite" resources, surely? Very large quantities, of course, but that's not the same as infinite.
Apart from that, well said.