Ship Explosion In China Sparks Debate On Terraforming Possibilities

It has recently occurred that a container ship exploded while docked in a Chinese port, which made global headlines. The fatal accident is a bitter reminder of the risks involved in international shipping. Container ships carry most of the world's cargo, which is an integral part of our international economy. But incidents like this remind us of the risks and difficulties of maintaining safety at these crowded shipping centres.

This blast is a heartbreaking lesson in what is most likely going to occur when safety is disregarded or other elements are added to create an accident to occur. Not only did it result in loss of lives and property damage, but it was also an eye-opener for governments and corporations to come together to enhance safety levels for cargo ships and terminals. Since the world is still dependent on shipping for trade, it is important to give importance to safety to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Could We Terraform Another Planet?

As the planet keeps struggling with environmental issues, the concept of terraforming enables it to support human life by modifying its environment. This has begun to attract the attention of scientists and science fiction authors. With the resources of Earth being strained and the need to combat climate change mounting, having a backup plan in the form of terraforming another planet to support human life is an attractive option for guaranteeing humanity's long-term survival. But which planet could we realistically terraform? 

Terraforming is a lofty ambition, one that seeks to change the atmosphere, temperature, and chemistry of a planet to be closer to that of Earth. The idea itself, while something out of science fiction, is made possible with technology and space exploration.

Let's take a look at two of the most popular planets:

Mars: Most demanding

Mars has ever been the leading candidate to be terraformed among the planets. This is primarily because it is Earth-like. For instance, Mars takes only one day, which is about 24.6 hours, nearly as close to Earth's 24-hour day as can be. Mars possesses polar ice caps, and it also has evidence that it could have had liquid water covering it before, both of which are in favour of harbouring life.

The cold climate and thin atmosphere of Mars make it uninhabitable for human beings currently, but scientists believe that if proper technologies are devised, the climate can be altered in the future. Through mechanisms such as the release of greenhouse gases to warm up the planet or the use of heavy machinery to generate oxygen from CO2, it could be possible to create a more breathable atmosphere. For the question, Which planet could we realistically terraform? This planet states as a suitable answer. 

While terraforming Mars could still be a long way off, it is today the most promising and realistic option for a new home for humanity in the distant future.

Venus: A Harder Alternative

While Mars is the top choice, Venus comes up in terraforming talks as well. Venus, however, is far more of an obstacle due to its environment. The atmosphere is rich in carbon dioxide, and surface temperatures are above 900°F (475°C), enough to melt lead. Surface pressure is about 90 times that of Earth, and it is a very inhospitable place for life.

After a container ship exploded while docked in a Chinese port, there remain some scientists examining Venus as a terraforming prospect. One of the interesting ideas is to build floating cities in the upper atmosphere of Venus, where conditions are better and the temperature is closer to that of Earth. The floating habitats would exist in the planet's cloud layers, where air pressure is close to Earth and temperatures are much lower than at the surface.

However, turning Venus into a planet where human beings would live on the surface of the planet would require gigantic technology and plenty of time.

The Future of Terraforming

While both Mars and Venus have possibilities, terraforming remains in its infancy. Even considering that we do succeed in developing the technology necessary, it will take centuries or millennia to make another planet habitable. The cost, material, and energy required for terraforming a planet are humongous, and there are so many challenges that need to be addressed.

At the same time, this idea of terraforming other worlds also makes one think about humanity's future right here in this world. If we do not take care of humanity, incidents like “a container ship exploded while docked in a Chinese port” will always be found in news headlines.  Terraforming reminds us that we do have plenty of untapped energy and innovative possibilities for dealing with climate change issues on Earth, too. There is a time when humanity has to take proper care of Earth as well as seek out strategies for securing mankind's future even outside of home. 

Conclusion: 

Wherever the destination, Venus, Mars, or a world elsewhere, terraforming gives us a vision for our future. As we can say for questions like, which planet could we realistically terraform? Mars can be a suitable answer.   And as we continue to make new frontiers in space, it's not a far cry that one day we will both have the technological capability and wit to render a different planet equally habitable to our home world—providing humanity with an insurance policy on survival, if nothing else beyond our home planet.