yes - but it doesn't capture our imaginations in the same way. (the idea of) colonising the stars is glamorous and exciting.
edit: additionally some people with a lot of influence are (incorrectly) convinced it's too late to save the Earth, and that our best hope is to "start over" somewhere else
greatergoon t1_j90v71h wrote
Reply to ELI5 Why are we more interested in colonizing extremely distant, completely inhospitable planets and moons than we are in making more parts of our own planet livable? by [deleted]
yes - but it doesn't capture our imaginations in the same way. (the idea of) colonising the stars is glamorous and exciting.
edit: additionally some people with a lot of influence are (incorrectly) convinced it's too late to save the Earth, and that our best hope is to "start over" somewhere else