How would you like the moon to look in 50 years? How about 100 years?
Our moon is one of the most important natural structures we know of. It is recognized and venerated by every known culture on the planet. It is represented in countless forms: poetry, art, cultural values, and recognized in many spiritual or religious beliefs. The value of the moon as a symbol to people all over the world is incalculable.
As space exploration becomes a realistic endeavor, we are faced an unprecedented question...is the moon a resource or a landmark?
If it is permitted to be used as resource we could one day look up at the moon to see billboards and advertisements. Instead of the familiar forms of craters and hills, we could see furrows of strip mines. It may be time to decide how to protect it.