In a multidisciplinary manner about the protection of the cosmic environment
On the 24th and 25th of October in the Institute of Political Science took place a multidisciplinary conference: “Środowisko kosmiczne i naturalne środowisko Ziemi. Ochrona, zrównoważony rozwój, bezpieczeństwo i współzależność”. This was the third event of this type held under the same theme “Horyzont Mars”.
Organizers aimed at exchanging information between representatives of various scientific fields, and integrating scattered scientific societies examining the cosmos. This time the conference focused on the growing problem of backwash effects of exploring the cosmos observed in the Earth’s orbits, on the moon, and in the future on Mars and other celestial bodies. Starting with debate (Wpływ człowieka na środowisko kosmiczne. Między odpowiedzialnością a zachłanności) and ending with discussion panel (Etyka ekspansji kosmicznej), the main motive was to prevent hurtful mistakes in the cosmic sphere for the development of Earth’s economy.
There was no shortage of challenging questions, whether the human species has the right to colonize space. The term “to colonize” turned out controversial, as HORYZONT MARS tends to initiate discussions in all kinds of fields. The commercial use of the moon in the area of providing him with satellite navigation was promoted already 2 years ago, which has now become the involvement of Wrocław scholars from the University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
The conference has been granted the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Polish Space Agency, Centrum Badań Kosmicznych PAN, and Marshal of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It was also co-financed by Wrocław Academic Center. Its main organizer was Mars Society Polska, in addition to that the Institute of Political Science from the University of Wrocław, The Polish Political Science Association Wrocław branch, and the Polish European Studies Association Wrocław branch all joined the team of organizers. Into the conference organisation were engaged many volunteers, to whom organizers expressed their gratitude, as well as to all the participants of the conference.
Translated by Jakub Bucholc (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
Photos: Paweł Piotrowski
