Technology and Industrial Development: Toward Sustainability
This lesson started with a discussion of industrial development and the effects that development had on the Earth’s limited resources. Initially, we thought that our industrialization would only have just a miniscule impact on the Earth. However, as time passes, we realized how unsustainable our development was, judging from the environmental problems faced by us today. The homeostatic mechanism of Earth has also been overstressed by human activity. This is reflected best by the fact the United States, with less than 5% of the global population, using about a quarter of the world's fossil fuel resources. If everyone consumed at the same rate, we would need about five planets for us to sustain our consumption habits. Thus, the need for sustainable development has never been more real.
Thereafter we were introduced to the ‘cyclical’ approach of consumption instead of the ‘linear’ approach that we are so used to. This is so that the products used are either biodegradable or easily recyclable and will not destroy the Earth. Thus, this will give rise to the opportunity for innovation in sustainable development and I believe that this is the step companies should take. By doing so, they are not only practicing corporate social responsibility, but also being one step ahead of any potential environmental sanction that the government will impose on unsustainable business practices.
Technology and Innovation Management
Next, we moved on to Technology and Innovation Management where Innovation Management is the process of creating value by increasing the efficiency of translating promising concepts into high value products and services. We were then introduced to the Research-Development-Application(R-D-A) translation process where the Development portion is the nightmare as we have to turn our ideas and research into the actual product. Also, in the R-D-A process, the further down we go, the higher the chance of success. Different part of the R-D-A process also requires different skill sets: At the infancy stage, it’s more of knowledge based technical skills, while towards the end it’s more of management and business development skills.
Key Take Away Points
From the reading ‘Environment Fact Sheet’, the European Commission actually has many methods that they are using/plan to use for sustainable development. However, this article was published in 2006 and the situation has not improved much since then. I feel that this is because the key methods of sustainable development are not being transferred to third world countries who are developing rapidly. Hence, these countries industrialize without concern for the environment. Thus the key take away point is that we must influence all stakeholders, especially the rapidly developing countries, to adopt sustainable development practices so that sustainable development can be a success for the world.
Personal Views on Presentations
A few presenters raised the question of whether the onus of sustainable development should be on government or consumers. I personally feel that it would be very difficult, if not near impossible to first educate and then thereafter, get these huge masses of people to change their consumption habits. This is because most of the population are short-sighted and only aim to achieve tangible benefits such as cost(as shown by the class’s unwillingness to pay too much a premium on sustainability). Thus the government has to take the initiative in this area. I feel that the key to this is that the government has to put aside its own vested interest(to attract all sorts of businesses) and start attracting the 'right' businesses whose goal is also sustainable development. However by doing so, the country's development will bound to slow down. So ultimately for the government, it boils down to balancing sustainable development and economic progress.
Personal Ratings for Session
I would rate the lesson 9/10 as most of the pertinent issues are covered with sufficient air time.
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