The article talks a lot about CO2 and very little about things like the lack of a molten core. Which if I'm not mistaken is the reason for our protection from space radiation.

Terra forming Mars might be too much of a distraction,if we focus on that rather than focusing on simply living on the planet. First, self-sustaining colonies need to be set up using underground areas connected by tunnels. Food can be grown on the surface, with some modification to the Martian soil, in large tent-like buildings that allow sunlight through. Even though the sunlight is about 90% of what it is on earth, many crops can be modified to grow there. Artificial lighting can use solar power to aid the plant growth. Pretty much the tech used in the story "The Martian" would work. That was very well thought out.

Why are normal people so hateful of the idea of living under ground?