Life on Mars

dropdown In fact, many scientists are already working on plans to turn Mars into a new Earth. Humans need three basic things to live: water to drink, air to breathe, and food to eat. Because of the lack of these necessities, it isn’t possible to live on Mars right now. For one thing, there is not enough oxygen. There is also no liquid water—just some ice. dropdown Nowadays scientists are dealing with a process called terraforming. Terraforming means changing the environment of a planet so that it is similar to Earth’s. On Mars, the average temperature is about minus 60 degrees Celsius. So one of the main goals of terraforming Mars is to warm it up. dropdown One idea for warming Mars comes from a problem here on Earth—climate change. Most scientists agree that Earth is becoming warmer due to increased levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. We might create similar conditions on Mars by building factories that release greenhouse gases. The gases will change the atmosphere on Mars. Rain will fall, and it may be possible to grow plants for food. The plants will add more oxygen to the air. dropdown There will be many difficulties in terraforming Mars. The project could take many centuries, and the cost will be high. We have some of the technology, such as the ability to create greenhouse gases, but not the money. However, life on Mars is a real possibility for future generations.