The human race is a continuing race against time. If we do nothing to alter the effects of time on mankind, we will surely perish over the coming centuries. There are many reasons for this. Begin with climate change. The most recent scientific findings indicate that the production of carbon dioxide is not an immediate threat to our way of life.

But, in the long term, this may pose a serious survival problem. If this does not do us in, a worldwide lack of food and fresh water for an overpopulated Earth may do it. If we resolve the food issue, then there is the limited energy issue. We will eventually run out of fossil fuels.

Renewable sources cannot replace coal, gas and oil. This leaves nuclear power, but what do we do with the radioactive waste products?

If the race survives all these threats, there is always the NEOs (Near Earth Objects) to worry us. One of these days a large asteroid could collide with Earth and wipe out all living things. At the moment, there is no deterrent against such as event.

This is like an inverse lottery. Every day, we hope Earth does not get the winning number. So far we have been lucky. But, how lucky do you feel today?

If this is not enough to get you thinking, then what about the slow heating of the sun on its way to eventually burning out? True, this process will take at least millions of years, but if the race is going to find a way to survive this, a solution may take a very long time.

One thing is certain, any solution is not going to be found overnight.

If the race is to survive longer than the dinosaurs did, we will have to explore and exploit space. The space environment is the one in which we live. This environment includes Earth, but only as a small part of the larger solar system, galaxy and universe. Humans can live only under certain, very special conditions such as those found on Earth.

However, the potential adverse effects mentioned above will change our Earth-bound environment over time. In the short term, we should be exploring space in order to understand the physics and chemistry of our environment.

In the longer term, we must exploit space in order to bring about survival solutions for the planet and the race. Eventually, humans will have to leave Earth and find a new home for the race. Dinosaurs were not smart enough to survive, but are we?

The bottom line is: space is important and we need a permanent meaningful program of exploration and exploitation if the race is to survive its future.