I just started thinking about it. Why is space exploration even that necessary? They're spending so much money on it when we have so much problems in our own planet..
From a risk assessment standpoint, space exploration is a VERY good investment. We need to be on multiple planets, preferably in multiple solar systems or even multiple galaxies.
BUT. It absolutely must be paired with NOT destroying the planet we have! This is the only planet we've got right now and the only one we've got a guarantee on habitability - if we don't fuck it up.
So yes, space is vital. But so it protecting this place.