Mars may seem like the ultimate frontier, but it’s important to ask ourselves why we are so eager to colonize it. Is it to escape Earth’s problems, or is it to challenge ourselves as a species?

It is not about escaping Earth's problem but naturally and/or eventually, Earth could be destroyed either by the Sun or the humanity ourselves. No matter if we colonized most parts of the Earth or not, it will happen. And if it happen, there could be over crowding and massive energy consumption. Thus making the Earth uninhabitable in the very end.

Not to mention, there's a tiny chance of global nuclear war. Which I hope won't happen.

So, the major premise of colonizing Mars is to ensure the survival of Humanity. And it is not that we are eager about it, it is just that we have to start as soon as possible. And, who's going to do it?