"There are some major problems facing humanity in the 21st century, and they're all going to require an enormous investment of our collective resources if we want to solve them. From climate change to global pandemics to the energy and water crises and more, none of these problems are going to solve themselves. If they're to be solved at all, it's going to come down to humanity's collective actions."
"But where does that leave the scientific research that doesn't directly relate to these crises? As beautiful and enlightening as the recent James Webb Space Telescope pictures are, astronomy and astrophysics aren't going to keep the seas from rising. They're not going to end war, prevent starvation, or solve our problems that require global cooperation. This week's Ask Ethan question comes all the way from Ethiopia, as Betsegaw Gashu inquires:"
The world faces numerous severe problems—illness, injustice, war, famine, poverty, pollution—that require huge investments and coordinated global action. Major twenty-first-century crises such as climate change, global pandemics, and energy and water shortages will not resolve without collective resources and cooperation. Some scientific research, including astronomy and astrophysics, does not directly solve these immediate earthly crises; spectacular discoveries and images do not prevent sea-level rise or end conflict. Many people question allocating billions to space study while urgent needs persist. Studying the Universe represents basic research driven by curiosity, and expanding knowledge requires asking questions and investigating beyond known frontiers.
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