As a Country, the US Needs to Focus on Off World Endeavors

Thank you, Con, for a hasty acceptance. That is always good to see. Human development has always been directly correlated to resource availability and consumption. The question here is a matter of sustainability. As population grows, so does our need for raw materials. We have reached a tipping point as a species. A recent study concluded that the world population, which is nearing the mark of eight billion, is three times the sustainable level, and given calculation and statistics, if the entire populous was to live at the average European standard of living, the Earth could only adequately provide for two billion, roughly 28% of our current number. We cannot provide enough, food, water, or materials to generate even a moderate standard of living. Global aquifers are being pumped 3.5 times faster than natural processes can recharge them, and topsoil is being lost nearly 40 times quicker than it is replaced, and as a result arable land is being lost. We have over fished our oceans, a primary protein source for nearly 2 billion people. Furthermore studies report that 795 million people live without proper nourishment, and predictions based on the rapidly changing climate warn that our expected crop yields will drop steadily in years to come. And these stats neglect non renewable resources, such as metal ore, minerals, and fossil fuels. In total, average resource extraction in estimated weight has jumped 45% from 40 billion tonnes to 58 billion tonnes, and the increase is not represented equally across all sectors. One of the biggest growths, at 65%, is the extraction of metal ore to feed the industrial world. Regions such as Europe and North America have had little to no local growth in extraction, instead turning to foreign sources, which are becoming scarce. North America alone accounted for 85% of regional net metal imports. And if history is to be looked back upon, the need for resources is only a flash point for conflict. A prime example is the Gulf War, where our troops moved in to secure oil reserves in Kuwait (And liberate it from Iraqi occupation), or Saudi Arabia and their annexation of oil fields from Yemen. All indicators point to the fact that our current rate of consumption is not sustainable. Sources: http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org... https://www.wrforum.org... https://phys.org... Now that I am done with my contextualization, I can move into the core of my argument. The purpose of the above section is to illustrate how our current practices here on Earth cannot and will not save us from imploding into chaos and discord. Arguments 1 - Resources. The vast amount of resources in space make it a prime target for exploration and use. There is so much adrift within our own solar system, and all we need to do is grasp for the skies and go after it. Water, precious metals, minerals, and most of all land, all at our fingertips. Just to illustrate my point, a single asteroid can be made of up to 80% iron and a mixture of nickel, iridium, gold, magnesium, silver, and platinum to cover the remaining 20%. And these asteroids can range from a meager 20 feet across to a monolith like Ceres, a massive 940 kilometers across. The prospect of mining one out of the millions within the 93 million mile thick band encircling our sun is the prospect of jump starting a new industry and in turn, our economy. Additionally, comets contain thousands of tonnes of water, and there are millions of these out abroad within our system. And that doesn't even account for bodies such as Mars, or our own moon. The moon alone is expected to hold vast deposits of minerals and metals, as well as the potential for new energy solutions. Multiple studies and even our own rover missions have deemed it highly probable for vast mineral and ore reserves on Mars, as well as the necessary chemical components to engineer water and other materials. Even the inhospitable environment of Mars can offer solutions. It has been proposed to harness the violent and harsh winds of Mars as an energy source. The same has been said for our neighboring gas giants, Saturn and Jupiter. Even the smaller moons of other worlds hold a good deal of resources that can be used. Simply put. By expanding into space, our appetite is only limited by the distances we can travel. Sources: http://www.universetoday.com... https://phys.org... http://www.nss.org... http://www.universetoday.com... 2 - Something to Rally Behind One needs look no farther than the space age of the 1960s and 1970's to see the captivation space held not only over the American people, but the world. Nearly 600 million people watched the moon landing, more than the entire US population at the time. There is something about space that holds the imagination of humanity. Our greatest achievements took place in its obsidian depths, and I believe that there are more still lingering up there. If there was one thing that united us during the cold war as a country, it was our conviction as pioneers to do the unthinkable. The rally cry of JFK in his moon shot speech was heard across the nation, and resounded with our people. I believe that the prospect of a new frontier can motivate Americans to work together, and give us a common anchor to work around. Simply put, the exploration of space has historically founded stronger national identities. Sources: https://www.nixonlibrary.gov... 3 - Net Worth This argument ties into the figures for resources. One only needs the use of logic to see the material worth in money that space has the potential for. Exploiting that can considerably improve the economy and the world sitting. Just to put it into perspective, one asteroid, known as 16 Psyche could be worth 10k quadrillion dollars. Even falling somewhat short of this could pay off the US debt times over, and fund more missions into the next frontier. NASA isn't the only organization planning to mine these objects. Space X, DSI, and Boeing have expressed their desire to harness the potential of these rocks. This amount of currency and resources could start a new era for humankind in technology, and in turn, bettering ourselves. Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com... 4 - Extinction Event I don't need any sources for this, but its common sense. By spreading the species out, it mitigates our chances of experiencing and extinction event, or even something near that. 5 - Technology Space exploration is responsible for many of the modern innovations that make our quality of life considerably better. NASA alone has over 6.3k patents in its name. While not all of what I am about to list was invented by NASA, it was heavily researched and pioneered. - Artificial limbs - LEDS - Anti icing systems - Numerous automotive improvements, ranging from tires to engineering. - Chemical detection - Fire resistant materials - Temper foam - Nutrient rich foods and substances used in hospitals and nurseries. - Solar cells - Water purification - Software improvements This was salvaged from a basic list, but it fits my point well. Not only this, but major advancements in the fields of microbiology and pathology have been made as well through missions into space, specifically orbit within the ISS. Sources: https://spinoff.nasa.gov... To summarize my arguments: 1 - Resource potential justifies exploration 2 - Promotes cohesive national identity 3 - Economic worth justifies exploration 4 - Mitigates risk of human extinction event 5 - Promotes technological innovation and scientific advancements Danke Schoen and good luck.