As a society we are in a journey toward mass suicide.
If we continue with the current pattern of consumption, earth's resources will be exhausted within a short period of time. The economics brought forth by the main Superpower, in this case USA, imply that in order for the world's population to have the same lifestyle, several planet Earths would be required to sustain its standard of living.
We are at a critical stage in our development as a civilization. And when I say civilization, I don't mean a specific portion of the human species or territory, I'm referring to humanity.
I frequently travel by plane, and I see how the smog generated near the coast is introduced into the sea, and consequently is deposited in the ocean. Inland, wild fires generate a dense layer, which is similar to those covering cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Madrid.
As a society, our level of maturity is that of an infant, where we believe that the resources are infinite. Even in European countries, where awareness on the issue is greater, there is still NOT enough being done.
A restructuring is necessary, and not only industrial as indicated by the term itself, but also one that integrates the human factor, where it's way to judge, act and interact are modified.
One extreme of this position would be that everyone receives only what they need to consume, however this would lead to a retrograde stage that we already surpassed as humanity. The other extreme is the one we are living, with a rampant consumerism, where people have no limit on seizure of financial resources.
It seems that the essence of the current behavior is to accumulate financial resources, without caring if it involves African nations for example, that are on the edge of survival. We cannot talk about poverty, when what people are fighting for, is to survive another day.
I believe that the future of human kind, does not lay in irrational consumerism, nor in the systematic rationalization of the resources. Rightly it is in the middle of both ends, where everyone has the opportunity to develop and forge a full life while being conscious that the resources are limited.
This however poses several problems for all humans. Our essence is to develop in all areas and aspects. Will we be able to accept self-limits? Because the day that a government decides to applies them, it would immediately become "authoritarian".
That is why the people who make up the government, obviously take part in this necessary conversion of thought, in order to generate different solutions to such challenges. When I refer to the restructuring of thought, it is precisely to have the disposition, will and conviction to promote and accept measures and therefore laws made for a mutual benefit.
This does not entail affecting companies adversely, but instead converging to the industrial scheme which has proven to be more effective in times of crisis like the one we are currently experiencing: Lean Operations (Lean Enterprise).
We must accept that riches are NOT only generated by profit (benefits), but in its broadest sense, it's the generation of stability and sustainable development of a society. This is why riches exists in diverse aspects: cultural, natural, etc.
Unequivocally, companies are the main generators of riches, wealth and development, but there are some who have lost track and instead of adding value to all members of the value chain: Customers, Employees, Suppliers, Partnership and Shareholders, they have forgotten about 4 other members and give everything to satisfy profits margins.
Businesses generate earnings.
Companies generate wealth.
A company that cannot manage and administer itself, is deformed into a mere business. And We must be aware that the business is a fundamental part of the vast majority of the companies, however it's not everything.
I have had the opportunity to assist companies who's Mission and Vision, was not founded on a philosophy of long-term generation of "wealth" for the 5 members of the value chain... The consequence: The distortion of their daily activities in search of solely profit generation, and leaving aside a fundamental principle: We are human beings who want to prosper in a world with limited resources.
At this moment an industrial system is already developed in principle, and then expanded to all types of companies to promote value creation: Lean. The basis of Lean, are respect for human dignity and increased productivity, all supported by producing only what is required.
Lean systematically removes the squandering (wastes) of all business processes (Productive, Service, Administrative, Logistical, Design, Development and Projects), which means less use of resources. Producing only what is really required, prevents overproduction that result in over-inventory.
Nonetheless, even having the system to optimize any business process (Lean Operations - Lean Enterprise), it is not applied as a unit, instead, parts of the system are used to optimize specific processes. It's like having a sailboat that partially uses some of its capabilities.