I Want to Save the Earth

We are doing everything to save our planet. But, on the other hand, we are looking for space exploration as another option as we probably believe that our planet is going to get destroyed anyway or at least unfit enough for us to become extinct.
Scientists say that the Earth has been damaged beyond repair. Shouldn't we desperately search for a new planet? As that seems to be a better option, if possible.
Can you really concentrate on two seemingly contradicting projects? Having a safe side (environmental protection scheme) can get you pretty relaxed on your aim (space exploration ), isn't it?
Sure. We shouldn't pollute the Earth but shouldn't we make space exploration a priority? According to my observations, no matter how much you do it'll take a very long time to make everyone use non-conventional sources of energy and biodegradable substances and by that time maybe no one could really be saved. Surely it'll happen hundreds of years later, probably but isn't this the time to do a lot more than what we're already doing to explore space. Right now, only few organizations actually seem to be concerned with this issue.

P.S. I'm not a native English speaker and hope that I get some tips on how to improve my writing.

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SW-User

We won't find another inhabitable planet; we evolved for the conditions that exist on this one. Everywhere else, we'll be living in tin cans completely dependent on our technology.

Even a badly-degraded Earth is way better than anything we're going to find elsewhere.

Transformedandevolved · 26-30, M

Can't assume what we're going to find

SW-User

We can make some guesses, though. We need the right gravity, the right day length, the right atmospheric pressure, the right gases in the atmosphere, nothing toxic, we need the right amount of water and a very narrow temperature range. We need protection from radiation.

Especially, we need free oxygen, which is corrosive and reactive and has to be produced constantly or it would quickly disappear. On Earth, it's produced by algae and plants but that mechanism wouldn't exist on other planets. It's just by chance that Earth photosynthesis produces free oxygen.

Transformedandevolved · 26-30, M

@crossproduct: Let's say I agree. Then, shouldn't we stop space exploration ?

SW-User

No! I'm all for space exploration, but for different reasons.

Transformedandevolved · 26-30, M

@crossproduct: such as ?

SW-User

For the sake of science and furthering our understanding of the universe we live in.

Transformedandevolved · 26-30, M

@crossproduct: Is the curiosity worth the money invested ? Shouldn't that be used on some more important areas then ?

SW-User

You could say that about any research that doesn't have immediate practical application. Robotic spacecraft aren't that expensive by Big Science standards, it's when you're trying to keep humans alive in space that it becomes ludicrous.