Encore Episode: Planet Changing with David Grispoon

David Grinspoon is an astrobiologist, an award-winning science communicator, and a prize-winning author of books including Earth in Human Hands, Lonely Planets, and Chasing New Horizons. He works as a scientist at the Planetary Science Institute and an Adjunct Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University of Colorado. He was appointed as the inaugural Chair of Astrobiology at the U.S. Library of Congress and has been involved with interplanetary missions for NASA, the Japanese Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.

David joins me today to discuss planet changing and the need to see ourselves as a planetary force. He shares why we need the humility to realize that we don’t know enough and why we should encourage more insight. He shares what the Anthropocene era is and how humanity has become the first self-aware geological process. We discuss hidden, long-term threats such as climate change and pandemics. David shares how past human activity resulted in unintended consequences of planetary change and how intentional intervention, such as the coordinated global response and transnational cooperation to stop damage to the ozone layer, demonstrates how we can win the race between education, action, and catastrophe. We also discuss whether we know enough to build a self-sustaining habitat on Mars and the values we will need to take.

“We need to recognise ourselves as a planetary force and fold that knowledge into our responses.” - David Grinspoon

This week on Insert:Human

● What astrobiology is and how it brings science and philosophy together

● How we can use astrobiology as a tool to look at our planet and situation

● The Anthropocene era and humanity’s geological effect on the planet

● The most pressing long-term threats that are almost invisible and the risks of not acting now

● Why we need to recognize that we are a planetary force to make intentional change

● The need for global governance and coordinated responses

● How international scientific cooperation is a model for common goals transcending local affiliations

● The scientific and social challenges of planet colonization

● Thriving versus surviving and how we measure success

Resources Mentioned:

● Our World in Data

Connect with David Grinspoon:

● David Grinspoon’s website

● Earth in Human Hands by David Grinspoon

● Chasing New Horizons by David Grinspoon

● Lonely Planets by David Grinspoon

● David Grinspoon on LinkedIn

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