Action Briefing Feb 2003 - Mar 2004
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Friends of Mars?

Mars has been in the headlines again as the UK's Beagle 2 mission goes horribly awry in yet another attempt to probe the Red Planet for signs of life. Maybe we need a Friends of Mars? Back in 1996 Keith White of Birmingham Friends of the Earth had this to say.

Following the recent discovery of possible ancient life on Mars, after analysis of a meteorite from there found in Antarctica, it has been decided that Friends of Mars (FoM) should be formed.

For the time being FoM will meet with Friends of the Earth (FoE) until such time as suitable solar-powered transport can be developed to get there and premises constructed out of locally available materials (currently dust and rock).

It is expected that the aims of FoM will be different from FoE. For example, greenhouse warming is highly desireable, the equatorial temperatures reach a high of around 26 degrees celsius during the day but fall to -111 degrees celsius at night! Melting of the polar ice caps will be a high priority, but may be a slow process, then once the frozen carbon diozide has melted there is also a chance that there may be some running water available for washing etc.

Volunteers are sought for the first-on-Mars meeting, the date of which has yet to be fixed and depends on quite a number of factors. The first meeting will probably last for up to four hours but attendees should allow about one year's travel time to get to and from the venue. They should also bring their own food and water as none is available on-site and anyone wanting to stop overnight should bring their own accommodation. As yet there are no recycling facilities.

FoM - making Mars a healthier place to live!

Keith White