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Video Message from Astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk

Transcript Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am Astronaut Robert Thirsk of the Canadian Space Agency. I am unfortunately not able to attend your reception in person. At this moment, I am on a wilderness expedition through the Grand Canyon with our newest class of young astronauts from the United States, Japan and Canada. I can’t believe they pay me to do this job! Congratulations to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy on the launch of the Climate Prosperity initiative. I am gratified by the work of both organizations to raise awareness on climate change and our future prosperity. Eric Harris invited me to write a guest column for the October issue of Canadian Geographic. I was delighted to do so since astronauts have a privileged view of the Earth from the orbit of the International Space Station. When looking downward through the Station’s windows, we are astonished by the beauty of our planet, but occasionally dismayed when we observe damaged regions of our fragile ecosystem. From space, I view Earth as another big spaceship … ‘Spaceship Earth’ … flying in its own orbit through the inky blackness of space, with its own set of mission objectives, and its own life support system. Living in space is precarious, whether we are six astronauts aboard the International Space Station or seven billion astronauts aboard ‘Spaceship Earth’. We need to all think and act like astronauts to maintain a planetary life-support system that can support us as well as the generations that will follow. This is why initiatives like Climate Prosperity are so important: to enlighten us about the intricate issues of climate change, and to encourage us to be proactive about the future. Thank you to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Round Table for devoting the October issue of Canadian Geographic to the environment and the economy. You have unique abilities to communicate the relevant issues and the difficult choices facing all Canadians. The Canadian Space Agency is proud to partner on the Climate Prosperity initiative with you. To all my friends gathered at the Canadian Museum of Nature, enjoy your evening.