[bbernard]

The meaning of your statement isn't clear.

Do you see resource extraction on Earth as something having no consequences whatsoever?

[vtange]

No, I just find it interesting how we only care about places we would inhabit. The parent comment suggested that asteroids are OK for unrestricted mining since it's, well, not a place people could inhabit and develop feelings for, like Earth or Mars.

[lazaroclapp]

It also has to do a bit with whether or not other lifeforms inhabit the place. Mars is unlikely to have any life on it, and certainly no pluricellular life without some extensive terraforming. If we ever get to that point, the discussion over preservation of a biosphere we ourselves created is certainly going to be a bit different in its implications...

[stdbrouw]

The author wonders whether there will come a day when see Mars as not just something we exploit but as a home we must protect, just like Earth.

[FullMtlAlcoholc]

I could see that happening if humanity becomes interplanetary. What if Saturn and Uranus become tourist destinations?

You may hear cries of "Save the Rings" NestleBoeing is pilfering the ice while making monstrous profits!

[mirimir]

Well, great efforts have actually been made to prevent contamination of Mars etc. But that's been for scientific reasons, in large part.