Most people might not consider blaming space pollution for disruptions in our daily lives. But the exponential increase in satellites and debris in the Lower Earth’s Orbit is more than just science fiction. From heads of government concerned with national security to gamers losing valuable seconds in an online competition, space pollution is a growing concern. Jorden and Kimberly discuss why space junk, virtually in our own backyard, deserves higher priority on our sustainability radar.
Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include:

How space junk could wreak havoc on more than just arrival time

Why the Tragedy of the Commons extends to outer space

Who’s responsible for emptying the space garbage can

Why the Kessler syndrome is just as scary as the name implies

How ridiculously rich people’s rocket launches incur yet another cost externality

How space exploration contributes to climate change

Why Global South countries bear the brunt of space activities

Recommended Resources

For anyone wanting to refresh their memory, here’s The Tragedy of the Commons by Garrett Hardin, 1968

And here’s the rebuttal Jorden mentioned, The Comedy of the Commons by Carol Rose, 1987

What to do with all that space junk floating around LEO

Why The Kessler Syndrome isn’t just a sci-fi plot

Kimberly’s newsletter post on Substack

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