Would Earth be the same if Mars never existed?
602001
Probably not. The Solar system is a system in balance. The Sun's gravity keeps the orbits of the planets stable. Gravitational attraction between the planets also effects their orbits, exerting the same force as the Moon exerts on the Earth's oceans. The gas giants, especially Jupiter can\ncreate "tides" that can tear a smaller planet to pieces, over time. There once was a "theory" that the asteroid belt, between Mars and Jupiter, consists of pieces of a planet called, I believe, Vulcan. If Mars WASN'T there, the\nearth would probably be located farther out from the Sun.\nVulcan might not have broken up, and would be orbiting a little closer to the Sun, but not as close as Mars. Bottom line: Earth, outside the "comfort zone" would probably be TOO COLD to sustain life.\n\nMoral of the story? Things are the way they are for a reason.
358291
No.  A human will give birth to a human that is set to live nicely on earth.  It doesn't matter where the baby is born and raised, it will still need the atmosphere to contain certain gasses, and be within livable pressure and temperature.  Mars is lacking in all of these.  If it would kill the parent, it would kill the child.
123187
Humans will probably live on Mars at some point, though it would probably be only temporary.  Now let's look at the problems.\nThe biggest problem would be making Mars a suitable environment for human life.  Terraforming the planet to give it a similar atmosphere as Earth would take thousands of years, if not longer.  The other option would be to build colonies.  And even then there's the question of what to do about gravity.  Because the gravity on Mars is less than that of Earth humans would have a difficult time maintaining muscle mass and bone density.  So, some sort of solution would need to be found.\nNext, let's face it, Mars is terribly far away and has little to offer, except maybe some frozen water.  And being so far away from Earth would probably be very problematic.  It is much more likely that in the future, if humans are to live in space, they'll live in self-sustained space colonies orbiting the Earth.
1046280
Sounds like you already know the answer to your own question...:)  Bottom line:  there is considerable evidence that there was once at least simple life on Mars.  There is some evidence that there may be simple life there now.  There isn't conclusive evidence of either of those things...so if we want to know, we need to keep exploring!
1178025
I really don't think so. What makes us so unique? Why couldn't some other planet have left as well?
248773
Yes. Because:\n1. Interstellar comets contain organic matter.\n2. It is statistically very unlikely that Earth is the only place where live can occur, because within one galaxy there are billions of stars in the "green zone" (the zone where life can exist) and many (if not most) of these would have terrestrial planets. Multiply that by billions of galaxies and the chances that Earth is unique are staggering.\n\nHere are two reasons I would not accept:\n1. "Intelligent life has visited Earth." People have great imaginations but most people are also nutcases. Nobody has definitely proven any encounters such that they would be taken as scientific fact.\n2. "Life on Earth started on another planet." Even though it is possible, it is speculatory.
80460
If you address this question from a scientific perspective and not necessarily a theological perspective, you will realise that originally the earth was nothing more than a big lifeless rock.\nSome people believe that life was brought here on earth from extraterrestrial origins.\n\nIf this be the case, then even if all life on earth is destroyed, there is a definate possibility that the seeds of life that were brought to earth countless millenia ago may also restore life countless millenia in the future.\n\nShould you wish to disagree with this theory, then scientifically speaking, it is probable that the process which caused life to erupt on earth - a lifeless rock eons ago, might reoccur in the future.\n\nSo, is there a possibility that a new life may be created if all life on earth was to end? Yes, there is a possibility.
545695
I'd lay pretty good odds that the destruction of a planet in our solar system, and one not even that far from us relatively speaking, would have such catastrophic consequences on the Earth that we'd probably all be destroyed. That is one reason we might resist the otherwise obvious urge to blow up Mars.
155075
YES. It's called EARTH and soon, MARS.
654043
If there was life on mars, it might make a lot of our written books have to be changed. Seems like everything is written with the impression that earth, as we know it, is the only livable place. Like they say ."Time will tell". But don't be surprised if those in charge either never tell the public or at least wait many many years before it is told.
52462
This would depend on where the Earth and Mars are in their orbits.  \n\nIf Earth and Mars are on opposite sides of the Sun then they could at most be: 234 million miles away.\n\nIf on the same side of the Sun and lined up with the Sun then they could be as close as 47 million miles. \n\nI got the following number today from a computer program for the distance based on today's position of Mars: 94.3 million miles.
139768
By the time that happens the Earth will have already been destroyed by the sun. But if the Earth was still around, it is highly unlikely that we would collide with any matter at all, since space is mostly just dust and emptiness, believe it or not. We would likely have a higher-than-usual amount of dust moving about the solar system, however.
1116109
Even though Mars is said to be the most Earth like plant in our solar system. For instance.\n1. Day length (Earth 23h 56min to Mars 24h 37min)\n2. Distance from the sun (Earth 1AU, Mars 1.381AU - 1666AU)\n\nThere are many difference between Earth and Mars that would effect life.\n1. there is no breathable air on mars (made up of 95.3% CO2 and only 0.15% Oxygen). \n2. the gravity of mars in only 38% of Earth, and most likely resulting in muscle deterioration of earth based species (Use it or loss it).\n3. There is also a difference in planet temperature (Mars has be known to have temperatures around -55 degrees Celsius)\n\nThese points among others mean that life on Mars (if possible) would require a different approach then living on Earth.
823519
If there was no greenery or trees, no plants or any of the other things you mention there would be no life. So mankind would not exist.
528129
Yes, the world would be a different place. They did both have an effect on ethics and the social status. If Rory Emerald was never conceived, we would not have a nice laugh or a hoax. He is a professional at what he does, and I have no problem with the hoaxes. If Dame Elizabeth Taylor had not been born, we would not have the great scent of cologne that she has or the movie "Cleopatra", which is an amazing motion picture. Therefore, yes the planet Earth would be a different place.
669135
It would be barren, cold from the lack of atmosphere, rusty, and some winds.  And you would need to bring your own air, since mars has none.  Mars has a high temperature of 70F, and it drops from there.  Sorry.  The atmosphere, mainly made of carbon dioxide, would suffocate you.  If you didnt have these problems, you would see plenty of rusting dust, mainly since iron is a element in this soil.  Some 60 mph winds would blow at you as well.  But because of the lack of atmosphere, it would mearly feel like a 6 mile per hour wind.
473205
ahhhh the holy grail of questions... do extra-terrestrials exist.  Well, I would have to say yes.\n\nKeep in mind Earth is like a grain of sand on the beach. It would be extremely hard to find anything.  Here is a cool link to check out...\n\nwww.seti.org\n\nthere is actually an equation to figure out if there is life elsewhere. click 'center for study of life in the universe' then scroll down to where it says 'drake equation.'\n\nFun stuff!