Space travel has once again grabbed our attention. The U.S. space agency NASA has just successfully landed the “InSight” probe on Mars. But on occasion it’s appropriate to bring the focus back to Earth – from the vantage point of space. Recalling the abortive Apollo 13 space mission in 1970, it’s tempting to repeat the comments of the astronauts at the time: “Houston, we have a problem”. After an oxygen tank exploded, the crew members showed remarkable nerve and a talent for improvisation, and managed to return to Earth safely. This attitude is worth taking to heart when considering the precarious state of our planet today.