LNAT Sample Essay - Should the Government Spend More on Space Exploration?

Civilization in space, once presented as a dystopian concept, might become an imminent reality if the state of the Earth is allowed to regress and devolve further than it already has. With the declining conditions climate change, and the depletion of the ozone layer, the focus has been shifted to injecting funds into the exploration of Space, spearheaded by big corporations like Elon Musk's SpaceX. But does increasing government funding on space exploration improve or deter our prospects of sustaining life on Earth? If the focus of the budget is shifted to acquiring what is out of our reach, rather than ameliorating our current possessions, it puts a self-fulfilling prophecy to play. This essay will argue for maintaining government funding at its current level, while redirecting the excess finances into climate research, and solution to improving the state of our own planet.

If the citizens of this planet are made aware to the fact that the government is increasing its funding into space exploration, it kindles the idea of alternative living conditions. They might become desensitized to the destruction of the Earth under the assumption that there is a backup plan. This leads to a spread of complacency, and the inability to take initiative to engage in sustainable practices. Our planet requires the support of humanity as a whole in order to begin repairing the damage. Increasing funding reinforces the notion that our current conditions are irreparable and there is an active urgency to find another place to inhabit. Rather than investing excessive finances into space exploration (which already receives a substantial standard of funding), the taxpayer's money should be redirected into improving and stabilizing their quality of life, and the quality of the current environment. An active interest in sustainability on the government's end may trigger a similar involvement on the end of the people, initiating discourse on potential solutions for prevention of exacerbating living conditions, supported by climate activism. Increasing funding involves an underlying sentiment of neglect to our home, and creates ample room for conditions to regress.

Conversely, some factions may argue that the state of the earth currently necessitates that we find alternative solutions for habitations , which makes it imperative for the government to spend more on space exploration. Space exploration may alleviate the fear that is spreading amongst people that we are destined to doom, and humanity will perish upon the destruction of the Earth. Such arguments in favour of increasing funding into space exploration are underlined by the opinion that it is ultimately beneficial for the sake of the people and their belief in existence.

However, there may be a failure to recognize that there is a lack of conviction or a guarantee that increasing finances into space exploration would indubitably result in the ability to locate an alternate home. Although research exists that there is a possibility that the conditions of certain planets may be conducive to life, these are merely untested theories that have a chance of being falsified. On the other hand, there is extensive research into climate change, and the use of renewable sources of energy that has yielded tangible results. The Montreal Protocol, which is a treaty signed by UN Member nations to ensure climate protection, has recently observed that due to efforts made by countries to engage in mindful practices, the ozone layer has begun replenishing itself, which clearly shows that the present conditions are indeed reparable. Additionally, for those who fear that we might still require a back up plan, the current level of investment, coupled with private funding (SpaceX, for example) into understanding the nature of our solar system is substantial to generate the alternate solution that the proponents strongly desire. Caring for and mending the Earth, rather than colonizing space should be the ultimate goal in a government's budget proposal.

Focusing on retaining what we have, rather than what we could have is imperative in such situations where intervention from the government is required. The presence of hope is clear evidence that increasing funding into developing the earth rather than exploring space would be more productive in offering results and progress. Keeping space exploration operating in the background at the current level, while shifting the cynosure to our planet and our existence is what will aid the evolution of humanity, and an amelioration of our prospects.

Word Count: 722

This sample LNAT essay is an original piece written by our lead writer, Anoushka Ichpanani

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