章 16: ASTRONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Astronomy, which has an important place in humanity's efforts to understand the universe, has sprouted with sky observations. Telescopes and related technologies, which have been actively used in the observational leg of universe research for about 400 years, have taken their place as much more effective laboratory tools, especially in observatories that have increased in number in the last century, and in space observatories for the last 50 years. While on the one hand, the positive contributions of all scientific and technological developments to the development of observational astronomy are observed with more examples every day, on the other hand, we witness that universe enthusiasts still make observations with techniques similar to the early applications of astronomy. As in all advanced research centers or laboratories, professional research observatories also contain high-tech equipment established with a very large amount of financial resources. In other words, this discipline also uses equipment produced by different industries with huge budgets effectively and at limited values, and leads to the formation of a significant carbon footprint.
On the one hand, amateur observations with the naked eye and efforts to understand the sky, on the other hand, advanced research, use of high technology and very important astronomical discoveries. Like every discipline, astronomy adds to the negative area on sustainability. On the other hand, it also offers important opportunities to progress towards goals on the path to sustainability.
Being able to meet our needs without compromising future generations is one of the definitions of sustainability. Sustainability is evaluated with various variables in different disciplines with its tightly connected economic, social and environmental dimensions and offers a memorable vision in raising awareness for improving our quality of life without exceeding the limits of all ecosystems. The concept of sustainability in astronomy has been addressed in different aspects in recent years, as in other disciplines. Sustainability committees are being established in different associations and civil society organizations where astronomers are involved and ways to contribute to this field are being sought.
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly determined "17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" with the aim of creating a sustainable future for humanity by targeting the year 2030. In this context, there are important goals such as protecting the environment, taking measures against the climate crisis, and sharing prosperity. So, how can astronomy contribute to achieving these goals?
science, a scientific research discipline, has a very important position in terms of sustainability. It has found a place in all societies and cultures, is one of the research areas that attracts admiration from a significant part of the population and has the most amateur enthusiasts. The inspiring and horizon-opening aspects of astronomy make it a useful option to promote sustainability and achieve goals. In addition, different disciplines of science need to be involved in order to achieve the SDGs. It can be said that there is no SDG that does not consider input in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. For example, under the title of "quality education", there is the aim of promoting scientific literacy, access to science, and diversity. In general, the SDGs see science as one of the main instruments for everyone's use for a sustainable world. In this progress, basic sciences find a place for themselves as a basic requirement for innovation. It is also emphasized that multidisciplinary research and diversity in science are critical to sustainable development. In the search for solutions for the SDGs, it is emphasized that increasing scientific literacy and capacity building in science in all areas and strengthening science education are important. These factors show why it is important to increase investment in science and to promote an integrated scientific approach that addresses the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and emphasizes diversity of knowledge. So how does astronomy fit into the big picture of sustainability when the importance of science is clear?
Astronomy takes us on a journey through space and time, while also allowing us to look at our planet from a different perspective. Seeing Earth as a pale blue dot lost in the darkness of space forces us to think about how we should view our planet. Although Earth seems large on a human scale, it appears extremely small in the universe, despite the fact that it has limited resources. The photograph taken by the Apollo 8 crew in 1968, showing Earth rising over the lunar landscape, is still admired. In the years that followed, photographs of Earth taken from space began to reveal the fragility of our planet as well as its beauty, and these images became symbolic photographs for raising environmental awareness. The photograph taken by the Voyager spacecraft in 1990 from a distance of approximately 40 Astronomical Units (1 Astronomical Unit: corresponds to the Earth-Sun distance and is approximately 150 million kilometers) and the definition of Earth as a "pale blue dot", along with the words of celestial awareness and educator Carl Sagan, are still used very effectively. The number of planets (exoplanets) discovered outside the solar system has exceeded 5,500, but when the results of the research are taken into consideration, the views that Earth is a planet with unique or rarely seen features are still considerably strong.
Compared to other branches of science, it can be said that astronomy is one of the prominent fields in connecting with people and bringing science together with society with its inspiring and imaginative aspects. Here, the mystery of the universe, the thousands of stars observed in the night sky and trying to realize our place in the universe are effective. All of these are ways to bring astronomy to people and to enable them to experience different things and think differently in the flow of daily life.
Those who do research in astronomy have the skills that can help achieve the SDGs. Fields such as physics and astronomy have led to the development of important technologies and the emergence of specializations used to study our planet today. Thanks to satellites that can observe at different wavelengths, the Earth is now observed and monitored in many different ways. In addition, astronomers bring an extraordinary perspective to this data by examining other objects in the solar system and beyond. Astronomers have been actively using their experience of working together for centuries due to their universal research goals.
Researchers in this discipline are known for their strong ability to think differently and produce innovative solutions to complex problems. These skills can be used effectively towards achieving the SDGs.
It is envisaged that the contribution of astronomy and astronomers to sustainability goals will occur in two main categories: education and research.
Astronomy education has the potential to help everyone see the Earth and its inhabitants differently. The idea that all people, regardless of their origin, are equal is clearly evident when we look at the Earth from space. This perspective can help people feel more empathy towards one another and lead to more livable conditions for all. The notion that we are all citizens of planet Earth (or global citizenship) can be linked to any SDG that aims to improve conditions for all people (e.g. quality education). The Earth is a planet with finite resources that cannot sustain endless growth. Over the past century, both our population and technological influences have increased greatly. This is a sign that resources are limited.
This situation has started to remind us that resources are limited and to raise concerns about the sustainability of human life. Climate action, one of the SDGs (along with clean water, clean energy and other related goals), is an area where astronomers can contribute. Researchers in this field can support education by using their cosmic-scale gains on climate change, its causes, the resources of the Earth and their importance for the continuity of life.
Astronomers have helped people understand our planet and its importance for decades with their research on the planets in the solar system and around other stars, as well as the Earth. For example, understanding the greenhouse effect on Venus or modeling planets with a similar size and mass to Earth have greatly contributed to our awareness of the fragile balance of the planet Earth. In addition, astronomers have started to take different initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint they cause. They can make a significant impact by taking the SDGs into account in the new observatories and research centers they will build.
As a result, astronomers have the potential to contribute to a healthier and more prosperous Earth in line with the SDGs. It seems essential at this point that astronomers make efforts to establish "sustainability" connections in their research, new project plans, observatory projects, astronomy education and space awareness studies (valid for all disciplines). We invite astronomers and all people to make effective collaborations on sustainability by saying "First the Earth, then the Moon, Mars, Titan and beyond".
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