Sigh. There is no place in the solar system where human beings can survive without constant supplies from earth. That is not going to change, no matter how much money you pout into trying to create a self sustaining mars colony. A moonbase or a marsbase will do nothing whatsoever to ensure human survival if we continue to screw things up down here on Earth.
I really hate to break it to you, but if you want to ensure humanity’s survival, you’re going to have to buckle down and work hard at ensuring that we don’t ruin the only habitable planet within 4 light years (at a bare minimum). I know, it’s not nearly as romantic or as exciting as building a mars colony, and it makes right wing space enthusiasts upset because they hate facing the idea that they can’t have their contempt for environmentalism and still get a gold star for making sure their grandchildren will live long and healthy lives. But it’s the truth.
