Should Humans Try To Focus On Colonizing Mars? Or Focus On Fixing Earth First?

Humanity is standing at a turning point. On one hand, our planet is facing serious problems: climate change, pollution, deforestation, and widening inequality threaten the stability of societies and ecosystems. On the other hand, advances in space technology have brought the dream of colonizing Mars closer to reality. Private companies such as SpaceX and government agencies like NASA are investing heavily in making human missions to the Red Planet possible within the next few decades. This raises a profound and practical question: should we focus on colonizing Mars, or should we dedicate our efforts into fixing Earth first?

The case for colonizing Mars

A powerful argument in favor of colonizing Mars is the survival of the human species. At present, humanity depends entirely on Earth. This makes us vulnerable to large scale disasters, whether natural or man-made. A catastrophic asteroid impact, for example, has happened before; scientists from the University of California have pointed out that one such collision led to the wipeout of 75% of the Earth’s population, including the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Other risks, such as nuclear war or climate collapse remain serious concerns. If humanity had a self-sustaining colony on Mars, we would have a backup plan for the survival of our species.

Mars colonization could also drive innovation. Historically, explorations and ambitious projects have sparked major technological progress. Space historian and author Andrew Chaiken said that the Apollo missions of the 1960s, for instance, “accelerated advances in computing, materials science, and telecommunications that later shaped everyday life for the average citizen”. Similarly, the effort to build a sustainable colony on Mars would demand breakthroughs in renewable energy, water recycling, advanced food production, and radiation protection. These innovations could then be adapted to solve problems here on Earth.

Finally, colonizing Mars appeals to a deeper human instinct: the desire to explore. Throughout history, humans have crossed oceans, climbed mountains, and reached for the skies. Exploration is a part of our identity. As Astronomer Carl Sagan famously wrote,” The surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean”. Mars represents the next great frontier, and reaching it could inspire generations to dream bigger.

The Case for Fixing Earth First

Despite these promises, there are equally strong reasons to focus on Earth before colonizing Mars. The first and most obvious issue is cost. Estimates suggest that building a permanent Mars settlement would require trillions of dollars. Critics argue that these resources would be better spent on urgent global problems: reducing poverty, protecting biodiversity, developing clean energy, and ensuring universal access to food and healthcare. According to the World Bank, more than 800 million people are living in extreme poverty in 2025. From this perspective, funding space colonization while ignoring human suffering seems ethically questionable.

Another concern is responsibility. Humanity’s crises are not caused by a lack of resources but because of how we use them. Overconsumption, pollution, and inequality are human-made problems. If we have not learned how to live sustainably on Earth, why should we expect to do better on Mars? Colonization could simply repeat the same mistakes we have made on Earth but in a harsher environment. Critics argue that our priority should be to develop sustainable practices here before expanding outwards.

Practicality is also a major challenge. According to NASA,  Mars is an extremely hostile planet. It has an atmosphere that is 100 times thinner than Earth’s and made mostly of carbon dioxide,  it has no liquid water on the surface, extreme cold, and constant radiation. Even with advanced technology, life there would be fragile and dependent on artificial systems. Meanwhile, Earth already provides air, water, fertile soil, and thriving ecosystems. Focusing on restoring and protecting our planet is not only more ethical but also far more realistic than trying to make Mars a second Earth.

A Balanced Approach

Framing this issue as a strict choice between Mars and Earth may be misleading. The most reasonable approach is a balance between exploration and responsibility. Mars colonization should not replace efforts to fix Earth but can instead work alongside them.

In fact, progress in space exploration may help us address problems at home. Rubert Zubrin, an advocate for human exploration on Mars said that technologies designed for Mars, such as closed-loop water recycling, renewable power systems, and vertical farming, could directly improve life on Earth. In the long run, these solutions might even prove essential for coping with climate change and population growth.

At the same time, the pursuit of Mars exploration can strengthen our awareness of Earth’s fragility. Many astronauts describe the “overview effect, ” the profound sense of responsibility that they feel when seeing Earth from space as a small, fragile blue sphere. Colonizing Mars might deepen this awareness, reminding us that Earth is uniquely suited for human life and worth protecting at all costs.

Conclusion

The question of whether humans should colonize Mars or focus on fixing Earth first does not have a simple answer. Colonizing Mars offers the promise for survival, technological innovation, and inspiration, but risks training resources from urgent needs here at home. Focusing only on Earth, however, could leave us unprepared for the long-term survival of the human species. The most responsible path forward is to produce a balanced approach: investing in Mars exploration as a bold vision to the future while dedicating even greater energy to solving Earth’s immediate crisis.

Earth is our only true home, rich with air, water, and life. Caring for it must remain our priority. At the same time, reaching for Mars can push humanity to grow, to innovate, and to dream beyond the limits of our planet. In the end, the effort to save Earth and the effort to colonize Mars are not opposites but complementary parts for the same story: humanity’s struggle to survive, to adapt, and to find its place in the universe.