[JumpCrisscross]

> what's the difference between that and a habitat on the moon?

Gravity and the hope of terraforming.

You’re underestimating the power of inspiration. Saving the planet is dreary business. Colonising a new one is exciting. Those callings motivate different people in different ways. Constraining us to one problem means those who might have been inspired to study chemistry to terraform Mars find it more attractive to go into finance.

[Robotbeat]

Not only that but Mars has vastly more resources and protection than the Moon.