Summary
April 5, 2024 | 7-8:30 PM ET
Join author Erika Nesvold and the Academy’s Chief Scientific Officer Brooke Grindlinger for a discussion of the ethical challenges of space travel and settlement—and Nesvold’s new book, Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space. Beyond the technical aspects of mastering our journey into space, astrophysicist and space ethicist Erika Nesvold embarks on a thought-provoking exploration of the ethical complexities—from environmental concerns to labor rights—of human persistence beyond Earth. Nesvold draws on insights from experts in ethics, sociology, history, social justice, and law to imagine a collective, global approach to space exploration and one that avoids repeating the mistakes of human settlement throughout history here on Earth. As humanity stands at the threshold of space settlement, Nesvold challenges us to envision the future—is it a utopian dream or a dark future? Can we do better in space than we’ve done here on Earth? This book inspires thoughtful consideration of the potential ethical pitfalls as we strive to become a multi-planet species.
About the Author:
Erika Nesvold, an astrophysicist, has worked as a researcher at NASA Goddard and the Carnegie Institution for Science. She is a developer for Universe Sandbox, a physics-based space simulator; cofounder of the nonprofit organization the JustSpace Alliance; and the creator and host of the podcast Making New Worlds.
Registration
The event is open for on demand registration