This has never before been an issue, as the moon has been well beyond our reach. However when our ingenuity gives us the option of traveling to the moon and our desperation for resourcess (energy in this case) gives us the incentive, it opens up an ethical question. The moon is of great importance to all life on earth, it is important to all cultures and even sacred to some religions. If someone claims legal ownership of the moon, and intend to exploit it to their gain, there will be people who will object to it. This is a very different case of claiming land than what it was in the age of colonisation, when the first superpowers conquered land by sticking their flag onto it irrespective of the natives living there. The moon is deserted of life, but there is no place on earth where it cannot be seen. That makes it, in my eyes, common property to everyone. We should set the rules regarding the moons ownership soon. I suggest leaving it alone and designating it as a world heritage site.
2007-06-04 07:45:26 · 10 answers · asked by Otavainen 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The precedent for that is the treaty regarding Antarctica, which is not owned by any nation. When the time comes that countries want to set up bases on the moon or exploit it for commercial purposes, such a treaty may be necessary.
2007-06-04 08:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by rollo_tomassi423 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We could still utilize the resources, have stations and use the knowledge gained to move further into the solar system. Obviously if you read about it you know at some point what you are saying will be an issue.
A good model would be Antartica. Ther are research stations and even some tourism. The knowlegde gained in understanding the worlds climate and geology has been tremendous. But no country can stake out and claim part of it because of international law. These laws include the environment, resources and even tourism. On that note it is hugely expensive to travel there..... so the sort that do are the sort that understand all of this.
The same could be applied to the moon. Yes many countries are capable or planning on revisiting the moon. A research station will not be visible from the earth anyway. Regardless I think the Antartica model would be the answer.
2007-06-04 15:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by jackson 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree that its visibility defines it's communal ownership. I think it is very similar to early colonization of the world. But you have to keep in mind that merely planting a flag into the ground did not secure the new territory as "taken." You can not monitor your newly claimed land from across an ocean, to maintain it as "yours" alot of money, men and dedication had to be used. If there is a country (or collective group of countries) that has the financial and scientific resources to stake claim and maintain control and possession of the moon, then it should be theirs. In the future, they could sell off territory (Louisiana Purchase) or rent areas to other countries for mining, drilling, vacation rentals...etc.
2007-06-04 14:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by smellyfoot ™ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No man has ever set foot on the moon and never will...people seem to have trouble trying to stand on their own land, let alone on the moon...have you ever noticed on tv, that, the moon is always in the black skies, but in reality, the moon can gracefully glide across both the dark skies and the blue skies, but i have never seen the sun burn his way through the dark skies, only the blue...it's amazing...blue blue blue blue moon...
2007-06-11 00:18:00 · answer #4 · answered by do ya! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its impossible to live on Moon , say for the next 200 years! Any realty investment must be on a longgggggggggggggggggg term only!
2007-06-04 15:07:34 · answer #5 · answered by anjana 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's imperative we develop the moon's resources and potential for supporting human life in residence. We should commit the development of the moon to the UN and allow it to grant leases to companies and individuals for specifically-stated goals (mining, research, etc., not putting up signs that can be seen from earth).
2007-06-04 14:49:13 · answer #6 · answered by TheEconomist 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I actually own the moon. There I have said it. The secret is out. It was bequeathed to me by my great grandpa, Mad Mick McMad.
You can purchase it for any religious event, pulling of tides etc for the princely sum of one million pounds.
Very cheap considering it will be a holiday destination soon...
2007-06-04 14:51:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. While it is not positive law, there are UN Declarations establishing that the moon is part of the common heritage of all mankind.
2007-06-04 14:48:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is an Israeli company that has been selling land up there already. I remember hearing a special about it on NPR last year. Kinda silly.
2007-06-04 14:48:07 · answer #9 · answered by Frank 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
who would they buy it from?
2007-06-04 14:52:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋