SUSTAINABILITY – QUICK OVERVIEW for CTO Parts 1 & 2 Phillip Andrews August 6, 2016 - Austin, TX phillipandrews7@gmail.com
Formal Definition Social and Societal 3BL Aspects or 4BL 4BL Economic and Business Aspects Social Aspects Cultural Aspects Culture Culture 3
One Of The Major Reasons That 3BL & 4BL Are Not Thriving As They Should People only focus on what is measured and rewarded 4
The Bitter Truth • It’s NOT the fault of Wall Street alone and our outmoded compensation systems. It is also the fault of our culture that has been soaked and marinated in BAD BEHAVIORS , such as: – Wild Consumerism --- to the point of becoming a mental illness – Narcissism --- based on self-absorption. We have taken Individualism to a whole new level that is obnoxious and woeful – Idol Worshiping --- the old pagan idols have been replaced by the loud and profane personalities of Hollywood and music world that promote more of the above (and other) bad behaviors – Throwaway Mentalities --- throwing away “stuff” after one use (from packaging to utensils and bottles). Throwaway Society is bad 5
Key Realization • Sustainability CANNOT survive and thrive in a culture that is all about self-aggrandizing, self-importance, haughtiness, egotism and attitudes that promote living life to the fullest today (and “screwing” the future). • Although Sustainability is NOT about belt-tightening, on the other hand conservation, preservation, measured spending, prudence, judiciousness and respect for future generations is crucial to our survival as a species! 6
Upfront Disclaimer • Sustainability does NOT have all the answers … yet! • The problems that we are facing are too big and too complex! No one has all the answers! 7
Additional Reminders 8
Great Advice • We ( ALL nations) need to share ALL key resources, ALL knowledge/wisdom, ALL key technologies and ALL good solutions in order to overcome the many challenges that are facing humanity. These problems and challenges are not unique to any nation or society. They are global … and this is why we need global answers! 9
Key Recognition: The Global Village Is Slowly and Steadily Becoming A Reality In more Ways Than One Networked Society, IoT or IoE, Social Networks, Multiculturalism, Diversity, Mass Migrations, Economic Unions (like NAFTA, EU …), 10 Common Currency, Globalization, etc.
The Net Effect Of Networking Same As Adding New Neurons In The Brain Smarter Brain Smarter Solutions Epiphanies Must-read book 11
Most People Think That Sustainability Is Only About Environmentalism --- NOT TRUE 13
Major Revelation also Sustainability is about INNOVATION! 15
What Needs Innovating? Everything! • Every Sector – The Agricultural Sector We need to – The Manufacturing Sector reinvent – The Health Care Sector – The Transportation Sector … our civilization, • Every Profession our society, – The Medical Profession our businesses, – The Architectural Profession … and • Every System our way of life – The Education System … – The Justice and Penal System – The Governmental System … 16
Why? • Mainly because population growth is still increasing at an exponential rate …. while resources are dwindling! 17
Please Extrapolate Resources The gap between what we need and what we have is getting bigger with every passing decade 18
Moreover … • Our formulas and assumptions for economics are WRONG. E.g.: – Nature is taken for granted --- it is part of “externalities” – Costs & Benefits only affect buyers and sellers (not externalities) – Resources are unlimited and/or substitutable – Economic growth must be continuous Grow or Die Growth is good (no matter what the consequences) – Business Sustainability is all about profits because money is the only lifeblood of the enterprise (there is no other lifeblood) – GDP does not take into consideration the costs that are associated with lowering the quality of life, harming public health or the environment, and depleting and/or degrading resources – Discount the future because the future will take care of itself 26
Let’s Discuss What Is Wrong With Basic Economics And they give Nobel Prizes to Economists! Some of them deserve prison terms! --- just kidding Economists are one of the main reasons why Capitalism has lost its integrity, soul, conscience, and moral compass. And this is the reason why Conscious Capitalism is now emerging as the antidote to that! 27
Conscious Capitalism Saving the planet and the Saving the planet and the It was born right here in Austin, TX! environment qualifies as a Higher Purpose by John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods Sustainability Conscious Capitalism 28
… And His Business Model Does NOT Look Anything Like You’ve Learned In School Or Business Seminars CSR … and he got funded! 29
Overpopulation’s Domino Effect and Mega Tsunami (The date does not matter) (We can still avoid it!) Our Society 30
Governments Are Afraid To Act Because We Are Not “All Singing Out Of The Same Hymn Book” “Do you see any problems?” • “We have climate change” === “No, we don’t” • “Overpopulation is harmful” === “No, it is not” • “Resources are being depleted” === “No, they are not” • “We need to stop deforestation” === “No, we don’t” • “New pandemics and viruses are emerging” === “ No, they don’t” • “Anger and frustration are on the rise” === “ No, they are not” • “Terrorism is a major threat” === “No, it is not” • “Debt is out of control” === “ No, it is not” • “The standard of living is dropping” === === “ No. it is not” • “The real unemployment rate is bad” === “ No, it is not ” For every opinion there is an equal & opposite opinion 31
Why Some People Miss The Point? Here Is An Excellent Example From Personal Experience! • In 2014 I went to ER at Parkland Hospital (in Dallas) 3 times with severe pains in my chest and left side (from my neck down to the armpits and groin). I was super pale and could hardly walk. All three times they ran the same tests: EKG, blood test and X-rays. And all three times they said there was nothing wrong with me and sent me home! • The 4 th time, my wife took me to Baylor Hospital (in Dallas) and immediately they realized that I was in deep trouble and performed a triple heart bypass on me. They saved my life! • So, what went wrong with the Parkland “experts”? They all have the same degrees and training as the Baylor experts? 32
The Difference! • The Parkland “experts” were totally relying on their equipment and the data that the equipment were feeding them. As the long as the equipment were saying that there was no heart attack they were happy to leave it at that! • The Baylor experts (no quotation marks) on the other hand relied on experience. They understood that something else was going on within me that was not showing up on their reports and screens! They used experience and common sense! • Thus, some people are looking down (starring at their navels) and missing the point, while others look up and see the big picture! 33
What storm? All I see through “MY” window is a clear sky! Tunnel vision? 34
People Make Their Own Assumptions --- NOT Always Based In Reality Naïve Realism Is A Major Threat 42
Suggestion: Use all the threats, crises, shortages and limitations as a trigger for change • One should NOT address ecological and environmental issues just because an investor, sponsor, or other funding entity demands it! • One should address Ecology and the Environment because s/he understand the threats, appreciates what is at stake … and has the passion to do something about it! • Proposal: 48
49
Thus … • Sustainability is NOT a business fad and it is not another body of knowledge or theory. It is the essence of living in the modern world! • Sustainability is about reinventing the future so that society can continue thriving and making positive progress in all areas, and in all aspects of life. Business holds the key to a bright future! 52
Even Harvard Gets It! 53
How To Make A Better World • Everything needs to be: Rethought Re-planned Reengineered Reinvented Reconfigured Redesigned … Let’s look at some technologies that are changing the world for the better! There are over 30 such technologies! 55
Example – Vertical Farms & Gardens Bringing urban and rural lifestyles back together again! No deforestation; no land decertification! And more importantly: Using 90% less water! Technology: Hydroponics & Aeroponics! 56
Masdar City (Abu Dhabi) – The First City Of The Future (It ran into unforeseen problems, but it was a good try) Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels Please visit Netflix to watch documentary by the same title (and see the progress that is Driverless vehicles going on today!) Underground 57
Example – 3-D Printing • No distribution/transportation • No warehousing • Zero waste! • Ultimate JIT delivery! It can even “print” foods (incl. hamburgers and pizzas)! 58
Recommend
More recommend
