Chapter 6 Terraforming

Reproduction means capability to replicate oneself.

Do earth have such capacity? It is hard to believe that earth, being a planet, would have such a capability. But believe it or not, it does exist.

Have you ever heard of a term terraforming?

It is a notion to transform the environments of Mars and Venus artificially into such a way that humans can reside. A grand idea as it is. But, in reality, the researches are in progress.

A definite plan does exist with Mars in particular. Mars is abundant with carbon dioxide with large volume of ice locked up underground. Carbon dioxide would generate greenhouse effect when it is vaporized which then raises the temperature. The melting of ice and the assimilation of plants will bring comfortable temperature and breathable atmosphere.

Of course, this is a merely a plan. But realizing it is not impossible. I'm sure humans will start terraforming Mars soon. If and when humans succeed in terraforming Mars, such would be nothing but the evidence of earth's capacity to replicate itself.

In other words, from the earth's view, we humans are the germ cells for completing the self-reproductive capacity. If Mars was the ovum, we humans are the sperms. And the earth, according to such thought, is just about to become an adult. Contrary to the life forms' desires "to live", they are sometimes forced to end their lives, by the betrayals of cells that got cancer. Even earth may die of diseases before reaching the adult. The infant mortality rate is relatively high in any life forms. Human beings, the germ cells of the earth, shall, at least, make all possible efforts to prevent themselves from getting cancer.

By the way, how was earth, the living planet, created and then evolved? Such would never occur. Whatever life form it took, earth must have been terraformed by a particular life form that was in symbiotic relations with another living planet.

Translated by Rie Ishida