Climate Justice & the Emergence of Astropolitics in Space

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Whenever we think of nature, our perspective is limited to terrestrial environments like oceans, forests, and deserts. We rarely consider what lies beyond Earth’s atmosphere, forgetting that space is part of nature too, despite lacking Earth's biological richness. Therefore, our discussions revolve around the existing climate crisis on Earth. But, in this 21^st century, the future battleground for climate justice is not confined within the territory of Earth; it extends beyond our planet. Today, space has become another dimension where Earth politics reveal how world leaders address or evade climate issues. We have already observed how powerful leaders on Earth avoid the burden of climate change, a burden for which they are largely responsible. The same political power is making the space above our heads highly politicized. This political evolution has significant effects on environmental and climate governance here on Earth. We are all familiar with “geopolitics” on Earth, but a parallel concept now orbits in space known as Astropolitics. 

Space: The Frontline of Climate Monitoring

• Space tech is a secret weapon for tracking climate change and supporting environmental science. Of the 55 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) used to track climate change, 38 are largely measured from space according to the European Space Agency (2024). Earth observation satellites monitor essential variables like sea level, ice melt, and deforestation, which are the backbone of agreements like the Paris Climate Accord. 

• For instance, the European Space Agency’s satellites track greenhouse gas emissions, which enable countries to demonstrate they are cutting emissions and help them get ready for disasters. In places like Bangladesh, where floods keep getting worse, this satellite info isn’t just numbers on a screen. It actually shapes real decisions to adapt strategies to tackle these natural disasters. 

• To enhance our understanding of Earth’s climate systems, agencies like NASA and ESA work together to undertake major scientific missions. 

When countries fight over the control of space, they are not fighting over flags on the moon but over who has control over the data that will inform us whether our planet is dying or recovering. Space has become the core ground for climate justice. When a country is deprived of its satellite clusters, it becomes environmentally blind. 

What is Astropolitics? 

Astropolitics mirrors geopolitics, but above the Earth, in space. Geopolitics examines the study of geographic factors such as physical geography, resources, location, etc. that influence international politics and state behavior with other states. On the other hand, astropolitics extends these power struggles beyond Earth. It is about who controls and exploits even the use of military power in outer space, including geostationary orbits and satellite tech. In essence, astropolitics refers to how space influences political decisions and international relations on Earth, such as forging alliances, fueling competition, and driving lawmaking in this extraterrestrial domain. Thousands of satellites already orbit our planet, powering communications and navigation. States and companies thus compete for the control of orbital slots, lunar resources, and satellite networks, guided by treaties like the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. This also contributes to emerging space rivalries. The U.S., China, and companies like SpaceX are all scrambling for dominance in low Earth orbit and on the moon. The Politico compared these rivalries to historical colonial races.

The New Space Power Struggles: U.S., China & Russia

Today, astropolitics explains how major powers like the United States, China, and Russia are actively turning space into a political zone where each of the superpowers pursues its own interests, reflecting. Their broader geopolitical positions on Earth. It’s not like the old single “space race," but rather a dual position where cooperation and rivalry coexist along with competition. 

The United States’ space agenda is fundamentally based on partnerships and norms, mostly visible through NASA’s Artemis Program and the Artemis Accords, in which lunar exploration is characterized by transparency, peaceful use, and shared scientific goals (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2020). Sure, these sound all about working together, but let’s be real: they also put the U.S. in the driver’s seat when it comes to setting the rules for space. [NASA and the U.S. Department of State launched the Artemis Accords in 2020, partnering with other nations to establish guiding principles for peaceful space exploration. The Accords don’t enforce strict regulations; they aim to shape how countries should collaborate as humanity ventures deeper into space.

As the U.S. leads the Artemis program, targeting September 2026 for landing on the Moon with Artemis III, and has pulled 43 states under the Artemis Accords. Meanwhile, China isn’t sitting down and watching; rather, it is striking back with hundreds of military satellites and also planning a 2028 moon base using its Long March 10 rocket, refusing to join US-led alliances to construct its own. On the other hand, Russia is getting closer to China and uses spying satellites known as "stalkers" that surveil US assets. Moscow is an additional threat that has the potential of nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons that could destroy the electronics within wide orbits and successfully jam signals in Ukraine. These are no empty threats. U.S. and Chinese satellites are not just floating aimlessly; they are engaging in “orbital dogfights,” as the Washington Post mentioned in a news article. Russia also makes things worse; its reckless approaches in space increase the chances that something will get hit and turn into a debris cloud. Then there’s Starlink and other massive satellite constellations. They manage everything from our internet to monitoring the climate. Just one major crash, and suddenly, we’re left in the dark about what’s happening on Earth.

In 2025, astropolitics became serious almost overnight. The U.S. administration stunned many with its proposed FY 2026 budget: funding would be eliminated for two important NASA satellites. These are the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 and its counterpart aboard the International Space Station, both essential for tracking carbon dioxide and monitoring the health of plants. Suddenly, the instruments scientists depend on to monitor Earth’s changing atmosphere were at risk. However, Congress has rejected Trump’s proposed cuts to NOAA and NASA climate funding.

Astropolitics at a Crossroads: Rivalry or Climate Cooperation?

Still, astropolitics creates plenty of tension. Think about it: if satellites spot a massive methane leak, do rivals share the info freely? That’s why experts continue to call for updated space laws that prioritize open access. If we truly care about the planet, we need to replace rivalry with genuine cooperation. 

Astropolitics isn’t just a distant concept anymore; it’s influencing how we monitor climate change, respond to disasters, and pursue climate justice here on Earth. Satellites aren’t only symbols of national power or tools for military use. They’re essential resources, plain and simple. But when states use climate data as leverage in their rivalries, those who depend on that information end up losing. If space is truly part of our natural environment, we need to manage it with transparency, cooperation, and a sense of shared responsibility. How countries approach space, whether as a battlefield or a place for collaboration, will determine what we can actually achieve in confronting the climate crisis.