I mean- in truth the ultra rich probably aren’t leaving earth because of pollution. Think about it- we haven’t even done long term stays on the moon and even a space station has proven a challenge and relies on regular supply from earth to keep running. If we even had the technology to terraform Mars it would likely be FAR easier to use that to terraform earth. They can’t seem to make Flint Michigan produce drinkable water for humans and there is already water and an atmosphere there; and of it was so easy to synthesize water or live off collected per and sweat and such- why would there be so many people on earth without access to potable water?
The challenges to living off world are about the same as the challenges to making our world livable except more extreme and difficult.
The main reason for billionaires to go to space asides ego or romanticism or profits etc is simply to on a planet that doesn’t have 6 billion people and almost every inch controlled by governments.
Space represents the ultimate canvas for deregulation- the entire concept of forming a new government or new power structures on earth is pretty far out. Odds of failure are high and if you succeed you can still be destroyed and still have to deal directly with other governments and their militaries. It isn’t practical and likely won’t be for some time for direct use of force by governments on earth against far away worlds like mars. Simply getting information about what is going on there would be a challenge. It’s a new frontier and like so many others, the first to make claim and hold it can establish a new order and make the rules instead of following the rules. Even billionaires aren’t untouchable on earth, even they can’t buy everything they want. Beyond the reach of earth and in a place where everyone depends on you for air and water to live- on earth they can rival but not match monarchs, on Mara they can pretend to be gods. So the environment isn’t likely their major concern.
Given reachable and known space tends to be a much worse environment than earth and a much tougher one to tame that make sense. Of course we have to question how serious they really are- we will need more feasible space vehicles for such endeavors, but getting to mars or space is much simpler than surviving there for any length.
As mentioned before, many of the challenges are similar to ones faced on earth today- you’d think any one serious about leaving earth in a meaningful way would first set about using charity as a form of research- providing solutions for water and food problems and other issues under the guise of charity or enterprise whilst developing the tools you need after you get to space. Of course some of these billionaires do perhaps coincidentally have stakes in such projects and other projects which would give invaluable aid to any attempts to leave earth. It is also worth noting that the aforementioned terrestrial power structures and established politics and…
.. cultures can pose problems to any attempts to “fix” our world. Remember- almost 7 billion people and some just aren’t very good at taking care of things. Ever see some city renovation project like a fancy new park or library that within a few years has been vandalized or robbed or torn up? You can try to solve food problems by teaching people to farm or starting farms- but then perhaps their neighbors get upset because they had a regional food production economy that you just tanked. Perhaps local warlords or governors get upset because providing and withholding food was a method of control. Perhaps the increasing population and growth lead to conflict, other issues, or war. Perhaps local farmers rip up those fields of food and grow large drug crops because drug lords forced them or because food sells for much less than raw materials for drugs. It becomes a complex mess very quickly very often.
So we get back to the appeal of a blank slate. Even if one had “pure” intentions and didn’t merely want to use the power or seclusion to do things that ethics or laws forbid on earth, having a place where you don’t have to deal with all the populations and groups and histories and existing politics gives you a “clean slate.” So that is the main appeal of space- for good or bad intentions it can be said to be a clean slate to create your ideal little corner of life.
That’s if you can overcome the challenges of getting there and surviving. For many, the allure of that freedom and relative simplicity is worth the trade off against convenience or security. So it has been through history, pioneers and settlers have often headed to the frontier to trade conveniences or comforts of population centers and power seats for the freedom and self sufficient hardship of the lands less traveled.
Make no bones though- billionaires aren’t leaving earth because of the environment.
Musk is the only one that wants to die on mars, for the rest, it's about developing the technology to mine the asteroid belt, and of course they won't do that in person.
The challenges to living off world are about the same as the challenges to making our world livable except more extreme and difficult.
The main reason for billionaires to go to space asides ego or romanticism or profits etc is simply to on a planet that doesn’t have 6 billion people and almost every inch controlled by governments.
As mentioned before, many of the challenges are similar to ones faced on earth today- you’d think any one serious about leaving earth in a meaningful way would first set about using charity as a form of research- providing solutions for water and food problems and other issues under the guise of charity or enterprise whilst developing the tools you need after you get to space. Of course some of these billionaires do perhaps coincidentally have stakes in such projects and other projects which would give invaluable aid to any attempts to leave earth. It is also worth noting that the aforementioned terrestrial power structures and established politics and…
That’s if you can overcome the challenges of getting there and surviving. For many, the allure of that freedom and relative simplicity is worth the trade off against convenience or security. So it has been through history, pioneers and settlers have often headed to the frontier to trade conveniences or comforts of population centers and power seats for the freedom and self sufficient hardship of the lands less traveled.
Make no bones though- billionaires aren’t leaving earth because of the environment.