Protecting Intergenerational Equity in Space
Protecting Intergenerational Equity in Space
By Joanne Wheeler MBE, Managing Partner, Alden Legal
The choices we make in the next decades will determine how we use space in the future and how countries, and future generations, will access it.
It is time to rethink our general approach to space – and address space not as an “it” but as an ecosystem requiring our respect and care as an environment essential to life on Earth now and into the future and recognise the rights of those future generations.
These choices must be based on clear information and evidence, with an understanding of: the extent of the space sustainability issue and its impact on our life on Earth, including to human, animal and plant life; areas where a greater understanding is required; how we balance space sustainability with innovation, to support both; the urgent need to share information in a homogeneous, standardised way internationally; and the priority for international engagement and a cross-disciplinary approach with a focus on industry, insurance, finance, governments, regulators and the public across the world.
