Episode #310: Scarcity of Lunar Resources
On this week's episode, we're joined by Zac Wager to discuss the scarcity of lunar resources and what we can do to work toward a better system of oversight and management to avoid depletion and other environmental issues in space. Our conversation is a deep-dive into Zac's recent paper, Scarcity of Lunar Resources - Scorecard & Case Study, for the Open Lunar Foundation
Zac is a relatively recent newcomer to the space world but has made a considerable impact in a short amount of time. He has published multiple research pieces, won national competitions for his policy writing on the outer space treaty, and has participated in multiple international working groups reporting to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Zac currently occupies a policy advisor role with Global Affairs Canada where he analyzes, disseminates and coordinates various outer space policy and regulation initiatives at both the international and domestic level on behalf of the Canadian Government. He is part of the Canadian delegation to the UNCOPUOS and its subcommittees, where he has acquired valuable experience in the multilateral processes of developing international space law and policy. In addition to his current position, Zac also holds a research fellowship with the Open Lunar Foundation. In this capacity, he did advanced collaborative research and writing on the notions of mining and stewardship of lunar resources, contributed to Open Lunar's "Breaking Ground" lunar resources trust, and conducted significant investigations into the scarcity of lunar resources, with an emphasis on sustainable resource management.
Zac has an eclectic academic background having received a master's degree in international public policy from the Balsillie School of International Affairs and an undergraduate degree in peace and disarmament studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. Zac is deeply passionate about issues of sustainability, social justice and the preservation of nature both on this planet and beyond it. He hopes to positively support the emerging field of space environmentalism where he can work on issues like space debris, space resource utilization, and the weaponization of outer space.
A special shout-out and thank you to our lead sponsor this season, Multiverse Media Group! For more information about Multiverse Media Group and their recent documentary, The High Frontier, check out https://thehighfrontiermovie.com/.
