Reinhabiting the Earth

Today, the Sahara desert is the epitome of a barren, unfertile land, but it was once lush and populated. Many other ecosystems – both terrestrial and marine – could suffer a similar fate if the global temperature continues to rise until it triggers sudden and unexpected changes on a global scale. Such an adverse effect on the future of our planet will inevitably pose a great threat to our species.

Science fiction has often explored these apocalyptic scenarios by raising the possibility of creating new, habitable worlds through a process popularly known as terraformation. Today scientific breakthroughs are paving the way for this to become a reality on our planet by repairing damaged ecosystems and creating new ones that are stable and self-sufficient.