Space and sustainability: realizing the possibilities
Scott Conover
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Forum
Thus, such nations may not view environmental sustainability as positive or even feasible for their nation. Sustainability cannot work in the long-term if nations choose not to engage in the behavior.
Because of governments and bureaucracy, sustainability will have a difficult time succeeding.
Governments are notoriously inefficient - especially on the bureaucratic level - and many governments outside of the civilized world have poor rule of law. This means that the bureaucrats in those countries are more interested in lining their pockets than with enforcing the law.
How do you deal with this dilemma in a peaceful manner? It seems difficult to resolve.
You cannot have fun, gas-guzzling vehicles or perpetually-open stores that provide bright light, heat and wasteful ambience if you wish to be truly environmentally sustainable.
The better solution to these energy and resource concerns is space exploration.
Mass solar panels could block portions of the Earth and be used to redirect energy as we need it. Asteroids filled with ore could be strip-mined of their resources. Malcontents and freedom-lovers could go to space to live out their lives, free, happy and away from the governments of Earth.
This would certainly contribute to world peace.
Why sustain a world, when you can simply expand beyond it?
Sustainability is useful for making businesses more efficient and thus passing savings to consumers. Sustainability provides us with more water, energy and food to consume.
Environmental sustainability is certainly less appealing, in lieu of space exploration.
Why would one care for the rules, regulations and artificial stratifications in one's society on Earth when we could dance among the stars, seeking our own destiny?
Scott Conover is a senior in business administration and history. "Space: The New Economic Frontier" is an ongoing series of articles discussing space exploration and its social, political and economic ramifications. The opinions expressed in his column do not reflect those of The Daily Barometer staff. Conover can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Because of governments and bureaucracy, sustainability will have a difficult time succeeding.
Governments are notoriously inefficient - especially on the bureaucratic level - and many governments outside of the civilized world have poor rule of law. This means that the bureaucrats in those countries are more interested in lining their pockets than with enforcing the law.
How do you deal with this dilemma in a peaceful manner? It seems difficult to resolve.
You cannot have fun, gas-guzzling vehicles or perpetually-open stores that provide bright light, heat and wasteful ambience if you wish to be truly environmentally sustainable.
The better solution to these energy and resource concerns is space exploration.
Mass solar panels could block portions of the Earth and be used to redirect energy as we need it. Asteroids filled with ore could be strip-mined of their resources. Malcontents and freedom-lovers could go to space to live out their lives, free, happy and away from the governments of Earth.
This would certainly contribute to world peace.
Why sustain a world, when you can simply expand beyond it?
Sustainability is useful for making businesses more efficient and thus passing savings to consumers. Sustainability provides us with more water, energy and food to consume.
Environmental sustainability is certainly less appealing, in lieu of space exploration.
Why would one care for the rules, regulations and artificial stratifications in one's society on Earth when we could dance among the stars, seeking our own destiny?
Scott Conover is a senior in business administration and history. "Space: The New Economic Frontier" is an ongoing series of articles discussing space exploration and its social, political and economic ramifications. The opinions expressed in his column do not reflect those of The Daily Barometer staff. Conover can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
John
posted 3/05/09 @ 2:27 PM PST
What??????????? How could you publish this Barometer? This makes no sense, I am so confused right now. Does this guy know what sustainability means? Or anything for that matter? Someone help me, my brain just exploded. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 3/08/09 @ 4:12 PM PST
This article looks far down the road, further then most can conceptualize. Are the ideas feasible? I have no idea, that's above my pay grade. Should the ideas be thought of and expanded on? Sure. (Continued…)
Master_Dan
Scott
posted 3/08/09 @ 4:14 PM PST
It makes sense to me, perhaps the gentleman above is unaware that this was printed in the forum, that means opinions will vary, I for one know what sustainability is and agree with author of the article and look forward to the next installment of the column. (Continued…)
InLalaland
Natasha Sills
posted 3/08/09 @ 4:25 PM PST
I loved this article! I can't wait for more.. there's finally some intellectual stuff in the paper.
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posted 3/09/09 @ 3:49 AM PST
I don't understand the article, i think Scott is confused and so many ideas are in his mind, before going for an article you must be very clear on what you are going to write. (Continued…)
Aaron
Aaron
posted 3/09/09 @ 9:35 AM PST
The article is definitely looking out into the future, and its correct. Humans consume resources and our population is ever expanding. Resources are finite so no amount of conservation will extend those sources indefinitely. (Continued…)
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