My initial reaction was "fuck y'all." Subsequent experience has proved my instinctive anarchist response correct.
America's real silent majority, our classic Liberals, have no voice
Meanwhile, thanks to many contributing factors that all come back to "make money fast, at any human cost," we remain on track for human extinction. My own informal model, based on 40 years of obsessive attention to relevant geophysical data and models, indicates that at most single digit millions of humans will survive into the 2200s, with full extinction likely to follow within another century. Setting an extinction date presents challenges: The last humans will live under conditions similar to long-stay missions to Mars, but with abundant water and relatively convenient air pressure and temperature as major advantages. As on Mars, a few minutes of unprotected exposure "outside" will be fatal. One might wish our future Earth Colonists all the best...
But that's another story: Search on NOVA Mass Extinction, then look for a mirror because WGBS no longer hosts that file. When I'm really in the zone, I imagine that plans for Mars missions exist to provide cover for technology incubators developing methods for human survival under upcoming atmospheric and etc. conditions right here on Sol III Prime.
"Gentlemen, we can not allow a Mine Shaft Gap!"
vs. we can not afford to put off the business of shutting the Petrochemicals industry right the fuck down, and fast. No aboveground political faction on the Left or Right, so called, will stand for that; they would literally kill you first, in an effort to discourage others. So the final answer is left as a lab exercise... for all the marbles.