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…Ehricke’s “Open World” model says there are no limits to growth. It sees nations collaborating to conquer starvation and poverty, improve the terrestrial environment and build worldwide wealth by applying space technology to the productive utilization of space and to the acquisition of extraterrestrial resources. This model would import resources from space to all nations, not redistribute dwindling Earth resources from rich to poor nations, ala Holdren et al. “Nations can choose to build wealth or distribute poverty,” Ehricke said. He knew that space technology can’t solve every problem. But he also knew that it can make possible the preservation of Earth as man’s “garden” while giving all nations the choice to create wealth and grow in this and other worlds. He predicted the ultimate destruction of civilization via extreme poverty, mass starvation, food riots, ecological crises and wars lest we choose the rational alternative of serious space development that is sensibly prioritized to bring the earliest, most meaningful returns to Earth and mankind. |