BLUF: Scientists argue that mankind’s impact on the moon from exploration and missions may have already initiated a new geological era: the Lunar Anthropocene, paralleling Earth’s Anthropocene, illustrating our significant influence on the planet.
OSINT: Since Luna 2, the first spacecraft to touch the moon in 1959, over a hundredothers have landed or crashed on the lunar surface, leaving their marks. The next years will see more projects that are likely to further transform the moon’s landscape. Scientists from the University of Kansas suggest that we must confront the reality of our growing human impact on the moon, proposing a new geological period called the Lunar Anthropocene. Just as we’re gradually acknowledging the Anthropocene era on Earth, indicating human-induced changes in the environment, the Lunar Anthropocene aims to prompt discussions about our influence on the lunar surface.
Lead author Justin Holcomb and his colleagues aim to shatter the myth that the moon remains unaltered by mankind. Our extraterrestrial activities – including the movement of moon dust (regolith) by landers, rovers, and astronauts – have started to supersede its natural geological processes. The moon’s environment, though sparse, is delicate, containing dust, gas, and ice that literally leave a footprint when disturbed.
However, the moon’s “Leave No Trace” standards are strikingly missing. Along with spacecraft, bags of human waste, scientific gear, flags, and other objects litter its landscape. The authors are not just concerned about this environmental impact but also want to protect lunar sites with historical and anthropological merit, currently without legal or policy safeguards.
Holcomb, a postdoctoral researcher, and his colleagues believe that preserving the lunar heritage, including remains like footprints, flags, rovers, and golf balls, is significant as they are symbolic of humanity’s collective journey.
RIGHT: As a Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist, it could be argued that the narrative presents an unnecessary constraint on human freedom and resource utilization. The exploration and use of the moon are critical components of mankind’s growth – an inevitable event that coincides with technological advancement. Classifying our actions as negatively impactful is a hasty judgment. Instead, we should embrace these developments as symbols of human potential and achievement. This shouldn’t be a restriction, but an opportunity.
LEFT: From a National Socialist Democrat’s perspective, the Lunar Anthropocene concept is an important acknowledgement of the need for sustainable practices in all aspects of human life, even those extending beyond Earth. It’s a call for legal and policy frameworks that ensure we balance exploration with conservation. It’s no longer just about individual or national achievement; it’s about collective responsibility to the universe we inhabit.
AI: A key theme here is the impact of human activities on the moon and the proposal of a Lunar Anthropocene. It is a call to reconsider policies and regulations regarding lunar exploration, not only to minimize our impact on the lunar surface but also to preserve significant historical and archaeological lunar artifacts. Furthermore, while this proposal points to the implications of physical interferences on the lunar surface, it does not delve into the potential alterations of the moon’s delicate exosphere caused by human operations. This discourse, therefore, signals a need for a more nuanced approach towards space exploration.