QUESTION:
Say we could increase the CO2 levels on Mars by building a type of factory on
Mars to produce CO2. Would it then be possible to create artifical global
warming, melting the ice, turning it to water, purify the water, plant trees
which take in CO2 and release oxygen, which would allow us to reproduce the
key components needed for life? We would have to maintain conditions in
space suits, etc., until the formation of a livable, viable atmosphere for
survival.

ANSWER from Nathan Bridges on November 18, 1999:
Conceptually this is possible. A thicker CO2 atmosphere whould
produce a greater greenhouse effect, thereby heating Mars and, if it gets
warm enough, melting polar ice and any ice that exists beneath the surface.

However, this would be a herculean technological challenge. It would
require a huge infrastructure and lots of money. There would also
undoubtedly be many people opposed to radically altering Mars' environment.
Furthermore, it would be hard to predict if this global experiment would
turn out the way we had hoped. A climatic system is quite complex on any
planet and to alter it radically could have unforseen consequences.

Neverthelss, your idea for "terraforming" Mars has been considered by
others. Perhaps one day, after our technology matures and our
understanding of climatic systems improves, it will happen. Until then, I
encourage you to continue your studies of science and space. We need
inquistive, smart people such as yourselves to further the exploration of
the final frontier.