Ecology Beyond Earth: Humanity’s Responsibility for the Environment on the Moon and Mars
The development of space technologies and plans for the exploration of the Moon and Mars raise new questions for humanity: how can we maintain environmental balance on other celestial bodies, and what responsibility do we have for artificially created ecosystems? Space exploration is no longer science fiction: future settlements on the Moon and Mars will inevitably face problems of pollution, environmental disruption, and the need for sustainable interactions with ecosystems, if they are created at all. Understanding these issues is crucial for scientists, engineers, policymakers, and society as a whole in order to minimize risks and uphold ecological ethics beyond Earth. Ecological Principles and the Ethics of Space Exploration Space exploration presents humanity with unique ethical and ecological challenges. On Earth, ecosystems developed over millions of years, creating complex interactions…



