Astronomy Saves the World: Securing our Future Through Exploration and Education

Astronomy Saves the World details the avoidable and unavoidable threats to our existence, and provides the case for astronomy being part of everyone's education. Astronomy will ensure our planet never again experiences a catastrophic cosmic impact from an asteroid or comet, and has shown that these ancient harbingers of death are now rich resources waiting to be reaped. Astronomy will lead us forward, away from an evolving sun, as we migrate throughout our solar system and beyond. But our future is hopeless without a well-informed and cohesive global society. We all need the sense of wonder and cosmic humility that astronomy instills. It is the great educational motivator regardless of demographic, and it is rich with history, science, art, engineering, music, and mathematics. It is the lesson for all humankind. Astronomy can be the key to comprehensive emancipation via education and provide us a united path into the deep future.