Maybe Moving to Mars Isn't Such A Bad Idea?
Pack your bags; we're moving to the red planet! Do you think U-haul has moving rockets? We're getting closer to making this sci-fi dream a reality every day. The thought of leaving Earth behind to start over is quite tempting to many people. What do you think? This pros and cons list will help you decide if you should make the big move to Mars or not.
1. Survival Of Humanity
Depending on how you feel about our species, moving to Mars is a chance for humanity to start over. If Earth becomes inhabitable, we could save humanity from extinction. The untouched planet has no pollution and with sustainable practices and thorough research, we could create a new home to thrive in.
2. Space Tourism
Once we're able to move to Mars, it will open the door to space tourism. It won't just be advanced astronauts exploring outer space, we norms will have the chance to blast off. Space exploration will become more accessible and encourage new possibilities and advancements for a larger population.
3. More Answers
What's going on up there? The more we discover about Mars, the more answers we'll find about the universe. More studies will be made about the planet and the space around it. Maybe we'll get closer to finding out the meaning of life after all.
4. Alien Communication
If there are aliens out there, we'll be at an advantage occupying a second planet. Living on Mars gives us a closer proximity to other planets and a new location in the universe to explore. We'll be able to communicate with the martians, especially if they like to visit Mars too.
Jonathan Cutrer from San Angelo, Texas, United States on Wikimedia
5. Helpful Resources For Earth
Moving to Mars could also improve the quality of life on Earth. The red planet is rich in minerals and elements that could be brought back here as natural resources. Some scientists say colonizing Mars could help with biodiversity preservation on our planet too.
6. Similarities To Earth
Moving to Mars seems crazy and unrealistic but there are actually some similarities with our planet. There's evidence that water is present and although there isn't much oxygen, scientists are developing ways to convert carbon dioxide. Mars has almost the same 24 hour day length which wouldn't impact our daily routines and it gets enough sun for solar power.
7. Self-Sustaining Ecosystems
Colonizing Mars would encourage self-sustainable ecosystems. We could implement controlled environment agriculture and learn to survive within the natural ecosystems. This knowledge and growth could also be brought back to Earth where we could make positive environmental adjustments.
Katarzyna Modrzejewska on Pexels
8. Medical Advancements
Supposedly, less gravity on Mars could be better for our health. It makes sense when you think about it; you're putting less strain on your bones and muscles because you'll be lighter. Studies have shown that less gravity could reduce several diseases and offer therapeutic properties.
9. Science Advancements
Space travel has already advanced science that have busted ancient myths about the universe. The more we research and study space and Mars, the more scientific discoveries will be made. By the time we're able to move to Mars, we'll have uncovered a lot of new knowledge and improvements in science.
10. New Technologies
It literally is rocket science. Moving to Mars means rocket scientists are hard at work advancing technology to explore outer space. Space programs are catalysts for technology innovation and the world's most advanced software and robots come from this industry.
Convinced we should hop in a rocket and blast off to Mars? Our following list of cons may change your mind.
1. We Don't Deserve It!
Humanity has already destroyed one planet, do we really think we won't do the same to the next one? Some will argue that our species doesn't deserve a second chance for survival. We should focus on repairing Earth before we take over Mars and pollute it with our destructive lifestyles.
2. Health Risks
You're probably thinking, "but you said Mars was healthy!" Unfortunately, the health risks may counteract the potential health benefits of living on Mars. There's a high dose of radiation involved and we don't have a strong enough shield yet to protect us from it's harm. If technology fails us at anytime, the lack of oxygen will not guarantee we'd survive.
Vladyslav Cherkasenko on Unsplash
3. Only The Rich
It's very likely that only the rich can afford a move to Mars. Instead of shooting responsible, eco-friendly, and reliable people up to the red planet, it's the people with money that will get the opportunity. Hopefully some wealthy caring geniuses exist and will consider moving.
4. Isolation & Confinement
It could be quite lonely up there! Although we're tying to make it more accessible, we're still not going to send people by the billions so the community will be very small. In the beginning, you won't be able to wander very far and an outbreak of cabin fever is probable.
5. Too Expensive
It's no surprise that space exploration is incredibly expensive, and moving to Mars will cost even more. When human survival is at stake, the cheap route is not an option. An uncountable amount of money is being spent on research and technology in order to fund this otherworldly idea.
6. Negative Space Tourism
Space tourism would be the coolest vacation to ever exist but it comes with negative traits. With money hungry humans, it's all about profit. Space tourism will only be accessible to those who can afford it and not necessarily care about sustainability. If the predictable pattern of society continues, travel companies will come up with ways to make a buck without focusing on any harmful impacts.
7. Arrival Survival
As you can imagine, it's challenging to land a spacecraft. Launching a rocket ship isn't easy either. We're not at an experience level yet to come and go with ease. If we made it to Mars, travel to and from Earth wouldn't be frequent and you'd be taking heavy risks every time you're onboard.
8. We're Not Ready
We're getting closer but we're not ready yet. Science and technology still need improvements before we start launching norms into space. We need more studies done on Mars to guarantee the survival of humanity and the planet.
9. Power Trips
In the space industry, there's ongoing competition between countries. The race to send people to Mars exists and will likely cause tension and fights about who gets to go. There's no guarantee that these advancements won't lead to more power trips from political bullies.
10. We'll Ruin That Planet Too
The surface of Mars is pristine. If a bunch of humans move from Earth to Mars, they'll take their earthly microbes with them, risking contamination on the untouched planet. The environment is fragile and the atmosphere is thin, if we don't want to risk destroying another planet, we need a lot of prevention research first.
