Article by Thomas Dowling in Newsroom
“The number of satellites and other objects sent into Earth’s orbit is increasing like never before. Before space ends up awash with debris like the ocean, scientists are calling for global agreements to protect orbital space,” writes Dr Thomas Dowling in an article for Newsroom.
“The United States and China are in a space race, sending thousands of satellites into orbit every year. More than 95 nations and corporations have joined the race to exploit the orbital environment.
“Parallels can be drawn between Earth’s orbit and our oceans. While coastal waters are managed as national resources, much of the ocean is regarded as an international commons. So is space. The dark side of these environments being regarded as international commons is that shared resources are easily over-exploited. Our oceans have suffered the tragedy of the commons and Earth’s orbit faces the same threat.”
Read the full Newsroom article here.
Also, see the newly published study – Napper et al: A Sustainable Development Goal for Space: Applying Lessons from Marine Debris to Manage Space Debris – is published in One Earth, DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.12.004.
Dr Thomas Dowling is a Research Affiliate of Ngā Ara Whetū, Environment Lecturer at the University of Auckland, and Co-lead of the Earth Observation Laboratory Aotearoa
The opinions expressed in this article reflect the views of the author, and are not necessarily the views of Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland,
And a new SDG 18 to protect the Earth’s orbit?
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