I've always been a strong supporter of space exploration and a big fan of SpaceX in particular, but my world view has taken a turn in recent years. As a specie

I've always been a strong supporter of space exploration and a big fan of SpaceX in particular, but my world view has taken a turn in recent years. As a species, our emissions have to peak next year and then be halved by 2030 to prevent the worst of climate change. That won't even be enough if the recent "hot models" turn out to be accurate. Hundreds of millions of people (at least) are going to starve this century if that goal can't be met, and the less severe consequences will drastically roll back the average quality of life. We're living in the final years of a golden age. I admire the aspirational vision the company and its employees are pursuing, but it's a naive one. All these brilliant engineers have been seduced by it but they will more likely spend their retirement in a refugee camp than on Mars if our priorities don't change.