Astrobiology and Society in Europe

Abstract

"COST (European Cooperation in Science & Technology)," This White Paper describes the state of astrobiology in Europe today and its relation to the European society at large. With contributions from authors in twenty countries and over thirty scientific institutions worldwide, the document illustrates the societal implications of astrobiology and the positive contribution that astrobiology can make to European society. The White paper has two main objectives: 1. It recommends the establishment of a European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) as an answer to a series of challenges relating to astrobiology but also European research, education and the society at large. 2. It also acknowledges the societal implications of astrobiology, and thus the role of the social sciences and humanities in optimizing the positive contribution that astrobiology can make to the lives of the people of Europe and the challenges they face. This book is recommended reading for science policy makers, the interested public, and the astrobiology community. Intro; Acknowledgements; About this Book; Contents; Editors and Contributors; Abbreviations; List of Figures; 1 Introduction; 2 Astrobiology andSociety inEurope; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 What Is Astrobiology?; 2.3 Organising EU Astrobiology Research; 2.4 The Contribution ofHumanities andSocial Sciences toEU Astrobiology; 3 The International Context ofAstrobiology; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 European Astrobiology Research toDate; 3.3 American Experience; 3.4 International Outlook; 3.4.1 Africa; 3.4.2 Asia; 3.4.3 Latin America; 4 Society, Worldview andOutreach; 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 The Public Understanding ofAstrobiology4.3 Popularisation, Dissemination andOutreach; 4.4 Rethinking Humanity's Place intheUniverse; 4.5 Astrobiology andReligion; 5 Environment andSustainability; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Environmental Protection andSustainability; 5.3 Earth Sites ofImportance forAstrobiology; 5.4 Current Regulations andPlanetary Protection; 5.5 Environmental Ethics inSpace; 6 Education, Training andScholarship; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Astrobiology Training andEducation; 6.3 Astrobiology andSociety inEuropean Scholarship. 6.4 Science andTechnology Awareness amongStudents7 Technological Innovation andCommerce; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Technological Innovations Driven byAstrobiology; 7.3 Potential Conflicts ofInterest; 8 Science andResearch; 8.1 Introduction; 8.2 Advancing Astrobiology Research inEurope; 8.3 Careers inAstrobiology; 8.4 The Social Study ofAstrobiology asaScience; 9 Leading theFuture ofAstrobiology inEurope; 9.1 Introduction; 9.2 Challenges Facing theEU Astrobiology Community; 9.3 The Role oftheEuropean Astrobiology Institute; 9.3.1 Principal Tasks; 9.3.2 Research Areas. 9.3.3 Funding andMentorship9.3.4 Suggested Activities oftheEAI; 9.3.5 Multidisciplinarity andNetworking; 10 Afterword; Appendix; A.1 Definitions (Drawing upon the Encyclopedia of Astrobiology); A.2 Presentation of the Group; A.3 TD1308 in Images; Outline placeholder; A.3.1 TD1308 ORIGINS Conference Photograph from Porto, Portugal, 2015; A.3.2. Astrobiology Summer School, 2016; A.3.3 Presenting the Encyclopedia of Astrobiology; A.3.4 TD1308 ORIGINS Conference Photograph from Bertinoro, Italy, 2018; A.4 COST Action Memorandum; Suggested Literature.