A Collective Response from Humanity

The UN has just decided to go after asteroids.  More correctly, potentially hazardous objects coming at us from space. Yes, it now seems, given the meteor that exploded over Russia the other day and the 'too close for comfort' passage of a number of large asteroids recently, that world leaders are sufficiently concerned to mount a serious effort to deal with this threat. 

This is not the first time a concerted global effort was focused on a global threat.  It happened when humanity worked together to moderate the threat from 'holes' in the atmosphere caused by ozone depletion.

I applaud this civilization scale focus on this exo-threat looming from space. It is a threat. But, let's put it in perspective. As threats to the planet go, there are a number of others that that are much closer at hand and more likely to happen than getting hit by a rock from space. In fact, some some of these planetary scale threats are already happening. I'm talking about climate change driven by our fossil energy dependence.  I'm talking about extreme human overexploitation of the planet's natural resources, including our oceans, forests, and fresh water supplies.

I'm glad we're coming together to deal with asteroids.  Why can't we give the same kind of thoughtful attention to the very real, human induced threats that are already impacting life on Earth. 

Here is a link to the story about the UN's asteroid warning system initiative. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/9888866/Asteroid-early-warning-system-taking-shape-at-UN.html