Space a good frontier for environmental co-operation

I am glad to learn of the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s intention to work with its Chinese counterpart on climate satellites (“China, US must take lead to cooperate in space”; Sept 9).

Humans have been ruining the planet’s environment for decades and thus it is meaningful to apply some human intelligence in space. The world’s cosmologists, astronauts and scientists can tap space-based technologies to the benefit of mankind.

This includes analysing and controlling climate dynamics better for the benefit of navigation as well as deriving functions and technologies from space satellites for data transmission and laser communication.

Besides, space-based science and technologies have useful applications in farming, fishery and the global supply chain.

At the same time, the tremendous capital the world’s powers have poured into space research and competition has indirectly reminded mankind to value Earth and treasure its living and non-living things.

In addition, world leaders and international environmental organisations should persistently advocate and work closely together on preserving the environment.

China and the US should indeed take the lead and co-operate sincerely towards the objective of advancing space research. Hence, new legal frameworks will indeed be vital to prevent espionage.