Do Humans Deserve To Colonise Other Planets?

    • Dheeraj.Jangra@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Nov 28 2016 8:17PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Nov 30 2016 7:10PM
Do Humans Deserve To Colonise Other Planets?

Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist, recently said that humanity only has 1,000 years left, with an impending asteroid collision possibly wiping out humans by 3016. He said that in order to survive this apocalypse we need to find another home. But, many believe that mankind is the 'Earth's biggest threat' and humans have no moral right to colonise other planets… 

It's true that humanity faces many existential threats (climate change, nuclear war, global pandemic, asteroid impact etc), but most of them are our own creations. No species has altered the Earth's natural landscape the way humans have.  Our growing population coupled with rising pollution level has taken a hefty toll on our planet. Consider this: If the whole world live at the European standards we would need 3.5 earths to sustain everyone. If, however, the entire world population adopts the American lifestyle, we would need five earths.

Threat from asteroid?  

Hawking has rightly voiced the concern that an asteroid could hit Earth in the future. But it must be said that probability of this catastrophe taking place is slim. The Earth has been getting hit by small asteroids and comets for its whole life. But the most famous asteroid ever is the one that hit Earth 65 million years ago. The impact is believed to have cause the extinction of dinosaurs. So, should we be worry? Not really! Nasa knows of no asteroid or comet currently on a collision course with Earth. Moreover, today space agencies around the world are conducting ever-increasing searches to identify all of the larger objects which pose an impact danger to Earth.

The three big questions 

Firstly, there is a perception that we are focusing too much on far-fetched cosmic calamities, rather than finding solutions to problems that are staring right at us. We should put all our efforts in finding answers to climate change, nuclear proliferation, population explosion—issues that are much more real and can be addressed. The diagnosis of putting us on another planet seems to convey the message that humans are incapable of mending their ways. 

Secondly, we all know how inhabitable the outer space is. Till now, we are yet to identify a habitable planet. And terraforming Mars (changing the frigid Red Planet's climate to make it more suitable for human colonisation) is still in the realms of sci-fi. So, the option of identifying and settling on another planet in the next 1,000 years defies logic. 

Lastly, do we have the moral right to populate other planet if we destroy our precious one? The problem lies with us. By spreading into outer space, we are only exporting the problem. The solution lies in changing our attitude and lifestyle. This beautiful orb has sustain us for thousands of years, let's not ruin it. 

Conclusion: The argument is not against space exploration or establishing future human colony in deep space. Infact, as humans it's in our nature to explore new frontiers. But it shouldn't be out of compulsion. The reason for expanding our footprints mustn't stem from the belief that we will going to suck the life out of our planet, therefore we have no option but to search for a new abode. 

Remember what the character of Sam Worthington said in Avatar as he pleads for Eywa's help in attacking the "Sky People" (humans): "If Grace (a character in the movie) is there with you—look in her memories—she can show you the world we come from. There's no green there. They killed their Mother, and they're gonna do the same here."  


Do you think we have moral right to colonise other planets if we continue to pollute and exploit Earth? Let's know your views in the comments section below. 


 

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Comments

Aneesh Kv nal

"When we look at the world as it is right now. Are we ready to colonize another planet? Or more important do we deserve to colonize another planet? We can''t solve the problems on earth like war, hunger or suffering but we want to colonize another planet? There is suffering wherever you go and there is no end in sight. Also, from a more scientific point of view: we are still unable to cure even the simplest diseases like the common cold... Are we really ready for it?"

Aditya Bakshi J.M. INTERNATIONAL SCH00L

If we are honest to our selves do we keep our earth clean green and with no pollution we do not deserve to destroy other planets EVERYTHING HAS AN ALTERNATIVE EXCEPT MTOHER EARTH

Brenda Marshal PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

No they don''t. They have already polluted the earth. Now if they colonies other planet they will do the same there. It is better that humans live on earth itself.

Vishakha Bhalla BOSCO SR.SEC.SCHOOL( PASCHIM VIHAR)

No absolutely not we humans do not have any rights to exploit any other planet, we have already ill-treated OUR PLANET Earth now the rest left planets do not want to be misused by us.

Ishika Jain BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

We should colonise other planets because due to increasing global warming and ultraviolet radiations, the Earth''s extinction is near. It will help humans save their lives if its extinction becomes inevitable. It will help us establishing aliens if there are any in the universe. There can be other benefits too which are yet to be explored.

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

No, we don''t have the moral right to do so if we continue to pollute and exploit Earth. Today the planet Earth is plagued with multiple threats by the deeds of the so-called…human beings. Survival has become a real struggle for all of us, as the things stand at present. We must dare to clear the clutter we have created. When we need timber or if we think that an overgrown tree grove obstructs the view of our magnificent house we don''t think twice before cutting it down.

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

We think paying lip service to the cause is good enough. But now the time has come for each and every earthling to take up his own responsibility of preserving this planet for himself and for the posterity to come.

Kushal Kumar DECENT PUBLIC SCHOOL ROHINI ROHINI

I think earth is the only planet on which we should live with peace and harmony. As we know we are using earth resources at a great rate. We should minimise the use of the natural resources. We know humans are the most dangerous animal found on the earth. The humans will not leave other planet also to fulfill their

SNEHA - R Kulapati munshi bhavan's vidhya mandir

Human beings have no right to exploit other planets and their resources.They have to first prove that they are worthy to live on earth by trying to bring back it''s true greenery and fight to restore its normal beauty by fighting against the man made calamities.

C.Prasanna Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School - Puducherry

No. We do not deserve to colonise other planet because those planets are made for the living and nonliving organism that originated in them. We can colonise without harming the organisms there.

Rabins Jena Kendriya vidyalaya afs avadi

Human are the most incedible spicies in this universe. But now if they want to shift in another planet it would be little difficult but we will succed. But we would not be able to forget our plant Earth.

Snegha.L Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Certainly if we pollute and exploit Earth then we are forced to colonise other planets.But it is immoral to destroy Earth.If we are not abled to protect Earth which is a natural creation then probably we would even exploit other planets also for our livelihood.

Rajashri Radjane Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School

No. It is not a good idea. Everything is for our good and if we are not surviving in asteroid it is good thanliving in this worst world. And a new good humans may born.

Aadrit Banerjee Apeejay School Salt Lake

Well at first I did support Stephen Hawking''s ideas of settling in another planet. But truly looking from this point I think we do not have any mortal right to settle in any other habitable planet and suck life out of it. Its really the time to mend ourselves and apologise to his Almighty for not having done the duty of protecting this planet properly.....

Aadrit Banerjee Apeejay School Salt Lake

Moreover I think everyone of us should spread this awareness among our other friends like I would be preparing a PowerPoint presentation on this and show it in the science class. Well I request all my friends here to at least try in their way. Thank you.

MANAS KUMAR BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Ethically humans have no right to colonise other planets. Have we learnt to walk on Earth before taking space flights? Are we handling atoms for peace? Do we have a safe future with science if we continue to exploit resources for our greed? We are not even able to protect our Earth and we talk of colonising other planets! We are playing with nature. First we should save our mother earth which has been an abode of life for millions of years.

DIWANSHI SHETIJA BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

Absolutely NO,as one cannot leave his mother and go and love the other.Similarly Earth has given birth to us,we cannot change our habitat in fact we can surely make amendments on the planet to make it a better living place

Harini MS NAGARJUNA VIDYANIKETAN

We are already killing our planet, and if we are allowed to colonize another planet, it''ll be like leading the Solar System to its doom.

Nishi Upadhyay BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

no because they could not even take care of their home planet and they might do the same to other planets too.

Sachika Lala BGS National Public School

We should not be thinking about colonizing other planets first. We should be thinking on how to save Mother Earth from further damage and implement those steps. If we fail to do this, then we can think about colonizing other planets. To me, it is ok as long as people understand and remember what was their past because huge mistakes which were made in the past are not repeated again.

Aditi Sahi D C MODEL SCH PKL-SEC-7

NO,I don''t think we have moral right to colonise other planets if we continue to pollute and exploit Earth.When we did not take care of earth, what is the possibility we will learn a lesson from our deeds?

Bhavana Jaison Atomic Energy Central School No 2

No , according to me we don''t have any right to disturb the life in other planet''s. If we polluted our earth then its our responsibility to make it clear and suitable for living. We cannot trespass into our neighbours house if our maid takes a day off.

Yashita Nagpal BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

Its our mother Earth we live on and it provides us enough to survive and live here.

Vihan R. Yalamanchili DDMS P.OBUL REDDY PUBLIC SCHOOL

While we should try to save and protect the Earth in peril, it is nothing wrong to colonise other planets. Humans must become a multi-planetary space faring species. Colonisation of other planets is essential to our survival in case a catastrophe occurs on Earth.

Sharmeen Khan PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

Being honest to ourselves , we certainly do not stand a chance to colonize other planet, and make it the worst it has ever been, destroy for one''s need and leave it after its of no use. The earth has been bearing the inhuman acts of humanity since the existence of mankind.Its big time we give back what Earth has given us, love, care and life. Only then will we be righteous enough to do the same to any other planet.

Darshil Shah ST. XAVIERS - LOYOLLA -2 LOYOLLA 2

Definitely not. We do not have any right to interfere in the lives of the extraterrestrial beings.

Madhuri. B.V Soundarya school

Astrology says the same. But that''s not right to colonize on other planets. The end of our planet is near and we are responsible for it. As of colonizing on other planets we do the same on going there. Not the planet, we should change on realizing the disaster but I think its too late now.

Aishwarya Iyer Deens Academy

We don''t have the right to colonise other planets. Even though we knew how much we are destroying the earth, we still are not doing anything much to help the earth. We are ruining it even more. With this mentality, the I don''t care attitude, we''ll destroy even other planets if we colonise them. But, if we want human life to sustain, which I think it should, then we do need to find another planet to live on. But mind you, we better be extra cautious, we dare not destroy another planet.

Aman.kumar Sree Narayana Vidya Bhavan

Save mother earth

JIYA TOMAR B G S NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

We the humans are merely dictators of the world and the entire solar system who look forward to strengthening our hold on the universe as a whole in the future. And, for this we have tried hard and are still striving harder to vanquish it by trying to colonize on another planet. But, candidly, we are not at all capable to do so and aren''t worth being rulers on yet another planet because when we haven''t been able to make our own planet Earth a Utopia , then how are we to thrive elsewhere?

Sajal Jain BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

How can we colonise other planets for inhabitation when we haven''t find one? Moreover, it is not at all correct to escape out of the problems that we ourselves have created. If humans have left the Earth in such a condition they will do the same to rest of the planets (that they''ll colonise) which is not their moral right.

ROSHAN HASMUKHBHAI PARMAR PRAGATI ENGLISH PRIMARY SCHOOL

We Should Colonize Space. We are expending Earth''s resources. Earth has a carrying capacity. We will eventually be forced to move, or restrict amount of kids born, in order to survive as a human race and not die out. Businesses and big people with power are the only ones with the power to change our direction, but their power comes from doing exactly what''s killing us. They''re too concerned with the here-and-now.

roshan parmar PRAGATI PRIMARY ( SAPARATE)

HONESTLY! I THINK IF WE KEEP EARTH CLEAN WE DONOT NEED TO COLONISE ANY OTHER PLANETS .DO YOU AGREE WITH ME?

V.Ananya D.A.V. Public School

Earth is meant for us to inhabit and we stay together whether it is thick or thin . Other planets are meant of other kind of species . We should try to mend our earth and if unable to do so , we have to go down with it because its our own fault .

Tanay sinha DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL (INDIRAPURAM)

No we do not have any right to colonize any other planet as wherever we go we bring problems with us and some time that place also becomes inhabitable

Prakash.B Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Instead of trying to find another planet... Try to do something to save our planet....

Ritvik Baweja BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

No

divesh Guru Shree Shantivijai Jain Vidyalaya

As per the current situation of our planet we can''t imagine even 500 years more survival of this human race. It has become tough enough to survive in this polluted environment. I think our development had made this earth to become antagonist of human race .so i strongly believe our developments must not go waste and the discovery of new planets is not a small one and we have full rights to colonise other planets as our developments and inventions must not go waste.

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