For & Against debate series: “The colonization of space is the solution to Earth’s problems”

The legacy of colonialism has shaped—and continues to shape—the modern world order and its political, economic, and social structures. In the 2020s, colonial interests can be seen not only in traditional contexts (such as U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands regarding Greenland) but also in new, extraterrestrial environments.

Human presence in space is expanding as space stations, debris, and thousands of satellites accumulate. Have we entered a new era of colonial conquest? As states and private companies compete to explore and exploit space, questions arise about the ethical implications of these activities and the risk of repeating historical patterns of exploitation and domination.

Should the history of colonialism be taken into account when assessing the opportunities and challenges of modern space exploration? Is it essential for humanity to explore space in hopes of alleviating Earth’s resource shortages, or should we instead focus on changing our resource use and prioritizing sustainable living on our own planet?

The statement will be debated by space researcher Mikko Tuomi, research professor Hilppa Gregow, university lecturer Aku Venhola, and emeritus professor of space astronomy Esko Valtaoja. The debate is moderated by professor Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen.

The debate series is organised by the Eudaimonia Institute. The events are open to everyone and there is no need to register in advance. The discussion will be streamed via our media partner kaleva.fi/live and University of Oulu YouTube channel.

The debate is in Finnish, but simultaneous translation from Finnish into English will be available. Please take your mobile device and a pair of headphones with you.