The moon belongs to us all

Apr 18, 2020 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

The purpose of the United Nations is being undermined by the United States of America.
By signing “the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (CSLCA, or H.R. 2262) into law” the Obama Administration started the USA down a path that allows them to mine the moon. This is a global resource that impacts all nations and has a direct impact on our oceans. They claim that it will take a long time before any impact could be felt on our oceans. Whether true or not, this is a matter that requires a global decision-making body to decide.
In a report published by Universe Today it states that “On April 6th, the Trump administration took things a step further by signing an executive order that formally recognizes the rights of private interests to claim resources in space.” By doing so, President Trump has turned his back on the “Outer Space Treaty of 1967.”
The treaty states that, “Outer space, including the moon, is not subject to national appropriation.” Clearly if a nation is not allowed to own it, much less a private citizen. Instead, people are hiding behind semantics and trying to circumvent the law.
First, we have the reckless disregard for the climate, as seen when the USA withdrew from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and now disregard is being shown for the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, not to mention the potential disastrous impact that mining of the moon can have on the oceans of the earth.
It should be required by the United Nations that the United States, as one of the top polluters on the planet, be held accountable to clean up the mess they have made here on Earth, before being given consideration to play elsewhere. There is also a larger potential of making a mess in space. History has shown that without supervision our environment suffers. Some examples are the large amounts of plastic in the ocean and the large amounts of satellite debris in space.
Greed is the polar opposite of sustainability, and if the United Nations doesn’t put a stop to such bullying, strong-arm tactics and lack of global consideration, the USA runs the risk of isolation and increased exclusion in international trade. Other sovereign nations will start to align themselves against USA interests in order to weaken the nation economically, so as to prevent the further destruction of the environment and their sovereign national security.
The United Nations must consider relocation to a nation that is considered neutral, so as to increase their autonomy to deal with the disrespectful position that the Obama and Trump administrations have taken against its authority.
Being alongside the International Court of Justice (another important entity whose protocol the USA has recently walked away from) may prove to be a good decision, as the mining of the moon may result in crimes against humanity over the long term. This will also reduce the influence of a powerful host country on UN activities.
It is quite unfortunate that the USA, who has been a global leader for the fight for “Democracy”, would take these undemocratic positions on issues that have such a tremendous global impact. It is important that the Senate and Congress of the United States of America ensure that the global rule of law is upheld, and global democratic values are not neglected by the USA government.
If the current direction with regards to outer space and climate change persist, it is to be expected that the world will view America and American citizens as selfish, uncaring and most importantly undemocratic. This is not the worldview that U.S. citizens want for a nation that stands for “Liberty and Justice for All”
All involved must resist the temptation to pursue individual interests at the neglect of a democratic process that takes into account the views of all those impacted.
This leaves the question, ‘Why hasn’t this matter of mining the moon been brought forward again for debate and a vote at the United Nations?’ It is clear; the answer of other sovereign nations would be a resounding NO!
It would be foolish for an individual nation to think that it can take on the entire world and do as it pleases while all other sovereign Nations in the world are not in favour of their actions, due to the high level of risk to their sovereign national security.
The USA is a nation of immigrants, and the taking of unilateral actions which negatively impact the entire Earth will not bode well with the majority of its citizens. Many of whom have family members outside of the USA.
If democracy and democratic values are important to the sustainability of World Peace, then it is essential that a democratic process be used for decisions which impact the entire Earth. The Moon, now and always will be a beautiful global asset with no individual owner, no matter how many flags and space ships land upon it.
It is also heartbreaking that the great nation of America, which has produced so many beautiful contestants for Miss Universe, one of whom could have been the gorgeous Ivanka Trump, has forgotten romance.
President Trump, who I also respect and admire, especially during his time with the Miss Universe pageant, has forgotten the romance and beauty of the Moon. No one wants to see mining operations on such a beautiful and romantic surface. I would encourage the brave President Trump and his beautiful First Lady to take a romantic moonlit stroll in each other’s embrace before embarking on such a foolish and heartbreaking venture.
Why is the love of Ish and Isha or Adam and Eve, being forsaken for unneeded wealth? There is no greater love than that for the Earth or Adamah from which we came, and there has been no greater celestial accolade given than that to the moon and its romantic pull upon all of us.
Best regards,
Mr. Jamil Changlee

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