• Question: do you think that with enough money and resources, we could terraform a planet? thanks

    Asked by anon-220967 on 20 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: Matthew Bareford

      Matthew Bareford answered on 20 Jun 2019:

      I don’t think this is particularly possible in terms of scale and time. Plus ethically, what about any other life that may be already there? if we can terraform it to live there, then why isn’t something already there?

      In terms of doing this in controlled environments, like big domes, then yes, that would be possible. But not terraforming as it is portrayed in films and fiction

    • Photo: Kate Timms

      Kate Timms answered on 20 Jun 2019:

      Currently, no. But much of what we can do now would have seemed impossible to scientists in the past, so you never know!

    • Photo: David Wilson

      David Wilson answered on 20 Jun 2019:

      I’m just going to say yes although i don’t know how this would be possible an atmosphere would have to be generated somehow but just because I cant think or imagine it doesn’t mean there isn’t an answer and if money and resources aren’t an issue then there’s your two biggest hurdles sorted already. All you now need is the imagination!

    • Photo: Kaitlin Wade

      Kaitlin Wade answered on 20 Jun 2019:

      I don’t think this would be possible at this time but possibly in the future! It’s an interesting idea though! Complicated but interesting.

    • Photo: Nina Rzechorzek

      Nina Rzechorzek answered on 21 Jun 2019:

      Well, we might have to if we cannot save this one! Fascinated by the concept of biological terraforming – and yes, I guess with enough investment it might be possible – apparently Mars would be our best bet. Problem is, are we going to learn anything from what we have done to Earth so that we don’t mess up Mars too? Or are we just going to terraform one planet after another as needed? Seems like a slightly sad and expensive way to survive. A much smaller investment (albeit still massive by today’s standards) could probably repair the rock we are on now, if we’re prepared to put the effort in.

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