Earth is better than Mars for a survivable outpost
...except that the context of the discussion is having a survivable outpost for humanity in the event that Earth was no longer habitable. TFA makes the case that, of the options we have left, Mercury may actually be among the best.
> ... in the event that Earth was no longer habitable
The most likely scenario is that regular city folk find it no longer habitable. Self contained/reliant underground outposts could still survive. An event that makes all of those outposts untenable is far less likely.
...except that the context of the discussion is having a survivable outpost for humanity in the event that Earth was no longer habitable. TFA makes the case that, of the options we have left, Mercury may actually be among the best.