PLANETSTEWARDS
As space exploration and technology continue to expand, a crucial question arises: how do these advancements affect sustainability both on Earth and beyond? PLANETSTEWARDS seeks to understand the complex dynamics of earth-space sustainability.
With space-based infrastructures such as satellites becoming essential to daily life and visionary projects like space settlements on Mars promising new frontiers, the relationship between Earth and space sustainability has never been more intertwined. Understanding this connection is critical as the impacts—both positive and negative—of space activities on environmental and social dimensions become more apparent. These developments impact sustainability both on Earth and in space.
Sustainable earth-space stewardship
Rising concerns include the growing congestion of Earth’s orbit with space debris, as well as the potential for environmental degradation from technological and resource competition on celestial bodies. These activities may also intensify political polarization, fragment sustainability narratives, and exacerbate global inequality. As a result, Earth and space sustainability issues are becoming increasingly interconnected, demanding a rethinking of the fundamental values, beliefs, and institutions guiding sustainability. A paradigmatic shift is needed to ensure stewardship that addresses sustainability both on Earth and in space.
Interrelated objectives
The PLANETSTEWARDS project focuses on several interrelated objectives. It aims to analyze various approaches to planetary stewardship, considering the different actors, values, and institutions involved. By comparing these approaches, the project seeks to understand the complex dynamics of their co-existence and how they result in both positive and negative impacts on Earth and in space, particularly regarding environmental and social dimensions. Additionally, PLANETSTEWARDS will define the criteria for earth-space sustainability and propose transformative policy actions to promote sustainable practices across both realms.
PLANETSTEWARDS, an ambitious ERC-funded project, seeks to tackle these pressing challenges. The project analyzes and compares the existing stewardship approaches—whether led by governments, markets, science and engineering, or communities—and assesses their impact on earth-space sustainability on a planetary scale. Using novel methodologies, PLANETSTEWARDS aims to develop integrative strategies that promote sustainability both on Earth and beyond.
The project is funded by the European Research Council and runs from 2024 to 2029