Throughout history, humanity has led major changes through technological advancements. The Industrial Revolution created radical transformations while leaving deep marks on the environment. Now, we’ve entered a new era with space exploration and deep-sea research, where echoes of the past resonate. Comparing these processes helps us understand how overlooked environmental risks can once again threaten our future.

Echoes of the Past; The Industrial Revolution and Environmental Destruction

The Industrial Revolution was one of the greatest economic and social changes in human history. From the 18th century onwards, steam engines, factories, and large-scale production led to significant progress worldwide. However, the “act first, think later“ approach during this process laid the foundation for environmental destruction.

Fossil Fuels and Pollution

The Industrial Revolution brought air and water pollution with uncontrolled use of fossil fuels. Other environmental consequences of industrialization, such as deforestation and toxic waste, deeply shook the global ecosystem. For example, the “Great Smog” event in London in 1952 went down in history as one of the most serious environmental disasters caused by air pollution.

Neglect of Environmental Responsibility

At that time, technological and economic growth had become such a priority that environmental impacts were ignored. Ecological damage was only noticed when its consequences became apparent, and regulations came much later.

Space Exploration and Space Debris

A similar process is now occurring with space exploration and technological advancements. Since the mid-20th century, the rapidly increasing satellite launches, space research, and commercial space activities have created an orbital debris problem. The phrase “Ad astra per aspera” (To the stars through difficulties) expresses the challenges of space exploration, but we are creating some of these difficulties ourselves.

Increasing Satellite Launches

The number of active satellites in space continues to grow rapidly. While satellites are launched for communication, navigation, and research purposes, this acceleration also creates an irresponsibly increasing space debris problem.

Risks in Orbit

Space debris accumulates as defunct satellites, rocket parts, and even small particles. This debris poses a collision risk to working satellites and newly launched vehicles, further narrowing the space for movement in space. Just like the damage done to the environment during the Industrial Revolution, the long-term effects of this problem were initially ignored.

Kessler Syndrome

This theory, proposed by space physicist Donald Kessler, predicts that collisions in space could lead to a chain reaction, potentially rendering orbits unusable. This scenario highlights the potential severity of the space debris problem.

Common Resources (Commons): Space, Poles, and Oceans

There’s an even greater parallel between the Industrial Revolution and the space debris problem: both processes brought environmental irresponsibility in areas considered “commons“. Areas such as the poles, oceans, and space, which are unclaimed or outside national borders, are often where responsibility sharing is difficult and resources are misused.

Poles

Rich in natural resources, the Arctic and Antarctica are vulnerable to overuse. This change, accelerated by global warming, poses serious threats to the sustainability of these regions. For example, the sea ice cover in the Arctic has decreased by about 40% in the last 40 years. The “commons” status of the poles can lead to delays in taking responsibility.

Oceans

The high seas beyond national borders face problems such as illegal fishing, plastic pollution, and marine mining. Although oceans are an important part of the global ecosystem, their status as “belonging to everyone” makes sustainable management difficult.

Space

Space is also considered a “common resource” for humanity. However, increasing commercial activities and international competition bring the risk of irresponsible use of space. The accumulation of satellite debris and irresponsible launches create a long-term problem in space.

Deep-Sea Mining: A New Frontier, Similar Problems

Concerns about the sustainable use of space are not limited to the sky. Similar problems are emerging in the deep seas, one of the least explored regions of our planet. These areas, which can be described as “terra incognita” (unknown lands), are becoming a new frontier with deep-sea mining. Deep-sea mining, like space exploration, highlights the need to balance technological progress with environmental responsibility.

Deep-sea mining refers to mining activities in ocean areas below 200 meters, covering about 65% of the Earth’s surface. These areas are rich in valuable metals such as copper, nickel, aluminum, manganese, zinc, lithium, and cobalt. These resources, with a potential economic value of trillions of dollars, are critical for the technology industry.

Like space, deep seas are also subject to international regulations. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) was established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and is tasked with regulating mining activities in international seabed areas.

Deep-sea mining, like the space debris problem, brings serious environmental concerns:

1. Loss of biodiversity: Risk of damage to sensitive ecosystems on the ocean floor.
2. Effects on the carbon cycle: Risk of releasing carbon stored in deep-sea sediments or disrupting carbon “sweeping” processes.
3. Threat to food security: Potential impacts of ocean ecosystem degradation, especially for developing countries.

The Tragedy of the Commons and Environmental Responsibility

These common resources face a problem known as the “tragedy of the commons“: Resources open to everyone’s access are at risk of depletion or damage due to irresponsible use.

The Lesson of the Industrial Revolution

During the Industrial Revolution, the world rapidly consumed fossil fuels and natural resources. Concepts of sustainability and environmental protection only came to the fore when these resources were on the verge of depletion. Today, areas such as space, poles, and oceans face the same risk.

Space and Debris Management

Space debris is the reflection of this problem in space. The rapid increase in satellite launches and space research has led to crowded orbits and debris accumulation. Organizations like ITU are calling for international cooperation for sustainable management of space debris and radio frequency spectrum, but time is running out to solve this problem.

Solution: Responsible Management of Common Resources

Lessons learned from the Industrial Revolution and its environmental destruction can be used to protect areas such as space, oceans, and poles today. For sustainable management of these common resources:

International Cooperation: International regulations such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for protecting oceans, the Antarctic Treaty for Antarctica, and the Outer Space Treaty for space should be effectively implemented and updated considering the dynamic process.

Sustainable Technologies: Technological developments should be carried out considering not only economic growth but also environmental sustainability. Recyclable satellite technologies and effective debris cleaning methods should be developed to solve the space debris problem.

Long-Term Planning: Long-term strategies and policies should be adopted to ensure that not only today’s but also future generations can benefit from these resources.

ITU’s Current Initiatives

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is taking important steps regarding the sustainable use of space. Recent developments show that global efforts against the space debris problem are increasing:

Space Sustainability Gateway: ITU has created a website called “Space Sustainability Gateway” to collect information about satellite de-orbiting and disposal strategies.

ITU-R Resolution 74: This resolution, adopted at the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-23) held in Dubai in 2024, focuses on the sustainable use of radio frequency spectrum and related satellite orbit resources by space services.

Satellite Interference Reporting and Resolution System (SIRRS): This system allows governments and other space stakeholders to report harmful interference affecting space services.

Spectrum Monitoring: ITU continuously monitors how satellite systems in orbit use the radio spectrum.

In addition to these initiatives, efforts by other international space organizations such as NASA’s CubeSat project and ESA’s CleanSpace initiative are also contributing to space sustainability.

Sustainable Management of Common Resources

The environmental legacy of the Industrial Revolution shows us how ignoring long-term effects for short-term gains can harm nature. Today, we face the risk of repeating similar mistakes in our last frontiers such as space, deep seas, and poles.

Increasing satellite traffic and space debris in space, emerging mining activities in deep seas, and rapid change in the poles threaten humanity’s common resources. However, lessons learned from the past and today’s technological capabilities offer a chance to foresee and prevent these problems.

ITU’s initiatives on space sustainability demonstrate the power of international cooperation. It is critical to adopt similar approaches for deep-sea mining and protection of polar regions.

When using these common resources, we must act on lessons learned from the past. Managing these areas sustainably is not just an economic or scientific necessity, but also an ethical responsibility.

Common Strategies for the Future

To ensure sustainability in areas such as space, oceans, and poles:

Holistic Approach: These areas are interconnected and integral parts of our planet’s ecosystem. We should manage these areas not independently, but as parts of a whole.

Proactive Policies: One of the most important lessons from the Industrial Revolution is the need to develop proactive policies before problems arise. The environmental impacts of activities such as space debris and deep-sea mining should be minimized with long-term planning, and solutions should be developed in advance.

Balancing Technology and Sustainability: Technological progress should advance considering its negative impacts on the environment. Recyclable technologies should be developed to prevent space debris and protect deep-sea ecosystems.

Strengthening International Cooperation: Solving all these problems is not possible with the power of just one country or organization. ITU’s efforts to manage the space debris problem show the importance of international cooperation. A similar approach should be adopted in protecting oceans and poles.

Acceptance of Historical Responsibilities: Countries and companies that first operated in space and oceans should take more responsibility in protecting these areas. Just as developed countries’ historical responsibility for climate change is recognized, they should also lead in protecting space and other common resources.

Conclusion: A Common Consciousness for a Sustainable Future

The technological transformation that began with the Industrial Revolution failed to control its environmental impacts. Today, a new frontier is opening in space and oceans, and protecting these frontiers will be decisive in determining what kind of planet humanity will live on in the future. Ensuring sustainability in areas such as space debris, deep-sea mining, and protection of the poles reminds us that we need to avoid long-term damage for short-term gains.

To leave a livable world for future generations:

• International cooperation must be strengthened,
• Sustainable technologies must be developed and environmental impacts reduced,
• Today’s decisions must be shaped considering responsibility for the future.

From the Industrial Revolution to the space age, humanity is learning to balance technological advancements with environmental sustainability. To the extent that we can achieve this balance, the future of our planet and humanity can be secured. Space, deep seas, and poles may be humanity’s last frontiers, but they are also vital components of our planet. Protecting and sustainably using these areas is not just a scientific or economic issue, but also an ethical obligation.

In conclusion, in our journey from the Industrial Revolution to the space age, we must move forward by learning from past mistakes and wisely assessing the potential of the future. Only in this way can we establish a real and lasting balance between human progress and the health of our planet.”