There's all this talk about having to go to other planets and
therefore we need to build expensive spaceships for this
purpose. And these spaceships need to overcome such things
as the lack of oxygen in space, the g-forces of leaving the
planet, combating extreme heat and extreme cold and
radiation.
And when they come back they have to leave all
sorts of things behind.
Lets stop sending all our metals on one-way missions into
space. Lets put massive engines on this planet we're on; build
underground living areas; destroy the ozone layer to let in
some extra heat and then set off a few hundred nuclear
warheads to lock it all inside a thick cloud layer; light the
fires, kick the tires and ping-ball wizard ourselves out of the
system.
We could keep the planetary core all fluid and hot with a
nuclear explosion every so often and maintain the heat whilst
we head out to find a new solar system and sling out way into
a new orbit there. Maybe we'll find other life-sustaining
planets with inteligent life - and boy will we need them after a
few thousand years underground and floating in deep space.
I mean, can we really believe we'll be smart enough to stock
up enough toilet paper and spare underwear?
I can imagine the landing parties: "We come in peace - take us
to your convenience stores."
Let's just hope they accept Visa (or I.O.U.s - I mean, we can
stiff them on the bill and high-tail it out of the system on a
quest for MORE toilet paper!!).