Several major efforts are trying to get humans eventually to Mars. Some of those efforts are predicated on expanding the human reach beyond Earth. Also some would like to flee Earth before it gets too uninhabitable due to climate change… Here we present a more positive take on this: The race to Mars will solve climate change on Earth, and vice-versa.

Some have proposed to slow down the efforts to Mars, and otherwise focus on solving climate change here. Instead, we say focusing on either will help both at the same time.

Terraforming Mars, in order to make it habitable to humans, and solving climate change on Earth are not exactly the same, but they have many similarities:

Both terraforming Mars and solving climate change involve planetary engineering, or the intentional modification of a planet’s climate, surface, or ecology. However, terraforming Mars will require more work as Mars is in much worse shape.

Both terraforming Mars and solving climate change have ethical and political implications, such as the potential impact on indigenous life forms, the distribution of benefits and costs, and the governance of planetary resources. However, terraforming Mars would raise more complex and controversial questions.

Both terraforming Mars and solving climate change have scientific and technological challenges, such as the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of the proposed methods and strategies. However, terraforming Mars would face more uncertainties and risks.

So as you can see, solving climate change can likely be achieved while learning how to terraform Mars. And the opposite is also true. It’s in essence a symbiotic relationship. Let’s not slow down either of the efforts.

Sources: Conversation with Bing, Terraforming of Mars - Wikipedia, Can We Make Mars Earth-Like Through Terraforming? - The Planetary Society, Mars Terraforming Not Possible Using Present-Day Technology, 10 ways you can help fight the climate crisis - UNEP, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Solving Climate Change | Center for Science Education, What are the solutions to climate change? | Greenpeace UK, We Can’t Solve Climate Change. We Can Get It Under Control. - PBS