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March 8, 2114
Harlan Hernandez, Special to PSTU
A hundred and fifty-seven years ago, the United States and Russia were fierce rivals. The two former Allies stood nose-to-nose across European fences in the early days of the Cold War. But then, on October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union shocked America: it launched the Sputnik 1 satellite into earth’s orbit, scoring the first victory of the space race.
Following the collapse of the government in the early 21st century and subsequent occupation by Ukraine, Russia has endured nearly a century of second-world status. Leaders have grumbled as their neighbors sped past them economically and technologically. Yet changes to the climate and global political turmoil have placed Russia in a long-forgotten position: global superpower and US rival. In the next year or two, one of these two old rivals will be the first to construct a self-contained, free-standing, sustainable polymer dome over a city, launching what has been called the “earth race.” Who will complete enclosure first?
Unlike the space race, which was a test of national might, this contest has deadly serious implications. Efforts to reverse climate change have failed. Famine and drought are no longer exceptions. Ecosystems have been permanently altered and species, unable to adapt, are entering the great extinction. If the peoples of the world are going to continue to inhabit this planet, it will have to be in an augmented environment. Of all the technologies currently under development, none offer as much hope as clear polymer domes in providing a refuge for humanity.
For many people, it is sadly already too late. Climate change has killed millions. But for those of us still around, the sooner we can erect these shields, the sooner we can begin to reconstruct our societies and ways of life. There is no doubt the United States has the skill and technical sophistication to achieve this feat first, but don’t count out Russia. When I served as an ambassador in Moscow in the Duong administration, I learned something about the Russian spirit. Russians are a proud people, and they have long chafed at their second-rate status. Being the first to achieve enclosure would be an enormous boost to Russian morale—and it would give the country and opportunity to lead the next phase of human existence.
When Nikita Khrushchev surprised America with his sudden space launch, that spirit was on full display. It’s true that the Russians lack the resources and experience we have in the United States, and the safe money is on a US project in Texas or California to win this race. Yet Russians also claim to be nearing technical specs to begin building a dome city near St. Putinsburg. And remember, in 1957 no American believed Russia would launch the first satellite, either.
Harlan Hernandez was ambassador to Russia under President Duong. He lives in Lake Oswego.
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