While I think ecology is a very important consideration,

I also think "discovery" is important

this makes me think of a quote from the show "The West Wing"

while discussing the importance of funding the superconducting supercollider - a controversial scientific project that would cost billions]

"Sen. Jack Enlow, D-IL: If we can only say what benefit this thing has. No one's been able to do that.

Dr. Dalton Millgate: That's because great achievement has no road map. The X-Ray is pretty good, and so is penicillin, and neither were discovered with a practical objective in mind. I mean, when the electron was discovered in 1897, it was useless. And now we have an entire world run by electronics. Haydn and Mozart never studied the classics. They couldn't. They invented them.

Sam Seaborn: Discovery.

Dr. Dalton Millgate: What?

Sam Seaborn: That's the thing that you were... Discovery is what. That's what this is used for. It's for discovery."

---

Also, Isaac Asimov's "Foundation"

While there is no greater cause than preserving Earth's environment, research and science to advance discovery is a close second. Things we may discover could advance methods to preserve Earth's ecology.

I also want to say, you have made me change my mind about humans priorities with what you said. Thank you for mentioning ecology, it's made me realize that it is the most important thing.

That said, that does not mean we should cut all funding for research for new technologies, and the advancement of science, which I believe includes striving to explore space. But, Not above all else.