[gravypod]

This is a fairly short sighted take. If SpaceX is able to commercialize space we could shift a lot of things that are traditionally difficult to off Earth even if you intend to remain here. For example, space provides a good method to pull a vacuum, run higher efficiency energy collection (solar/photo synthesis), or release byproducts of toxic manufacturing. Possibilities are very expansive. If we think of it this way: We will release X amount of CO2 to get a permanent space base which will save us an ongoing Y amount of CO2 forever in the production of some goods.

This is also assuming that there's no value in small, safe, steps on a path to socially acceptable space travel. Right now there's a perception of a lot of risk in going to space which is valid. If technology becomes safer over night no one will know it is safer. These incremental "we can launch", "we can reuse", "we can send a person", "we can send 4 people", etc messages are broadcasting to people that we can do this and that we are doing it. It's no longer science fiction.