Andronicos Zervides, a candidate for the European Parliament elections, has pledged to try to nuke asteroids, clean up space debris and assign a spokesperson for humanity in case of extraterrestrial contact.
In his 24-page manifesto, the independent candidate promises to pressure for an increase in funding and improvements in international cooperation to monitor celestial objects, which could potentially hit the Earth in the future.
He notes that an asteroid impact poses threats to Limassol and Paphos.
“The potential threat posed by an asteroid impact, whether in Limassol or off the Paphos coast, necessitates proactive measures”, the manifesto reads, adding that only in such a scenario nuclear bombs can be used beneficially, to protect the planet.
Let’s keep space tidy
An additional pledge in the manifesto concerns space debris management, including debris left in space from past exploration missions. If elected, Zervides says that he will seek money to improve the tracking and safe disposal of space debris through international cooperation.
“Children are told to keep their bedrooms tidy in case grandma trips over a toy. Let’s keep space tidy in case a 1970s rocket fragment falls on grandma’s head or central Nicosia!” the manifesto emphasises.
Aliens
Unforeseen extraterrestrial contact is also addressed in the manifesto.
“Please discuss this section with your friends and family. Then decide if I need psychiatric help,” Zervides asks readers.
The candidate proposes commissioning a study at the EU level, to address key aspects of an alien contact scenario, including the designation of a spokesperson for humanity and the role of existing international bodies such as the United Nations.
A central question raised by the candidate concerns which individual or political body would possess the authority or credibility to speak on behalf of all humanity if such a scenario unfolds.
A further question relates to the appropriate response if an extraterrestrial being arrives claiming to be a prominent religious figure of Christianity or Islam.
“Should the Pope get involved, or perhaps the Archbishop of Cyprus if a giant spacecraft landed or suddenly appeared near Nicosia?”, the manifesto notes.
The aim is to prepare for any eventualities, to ensure that even in an unlikely event of extraterrestrial contact, the response is characterised by unity, rather than fear and panic.
“What’s the harm in being prepared for an ET visit?” Zervides rhetorically asks.
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