Industry Beyond Progress

The development of industries is a symbol of human progress, with each one arising from a need or desire for improvement. However, this progress is not without its complexity and its consequences for nature and livelihoods.

Consider the scenario of creating more plastic products to meet the growing demand for market. While addressing the immediate need, it introduces a cascade of consequences, notably the environmental challenge of plastic pollution. Herein lies the paradox: industries fulfill a specific task but simultaneously give rise to consequences that are either intended to be addressed from the start or not seen during that time.

Initiating with the creation of a new product, industries generate employment opportunities and contribute to the well-being and comfort of communities. However, the implications extend beyond the industry's scope. Once established, industries frequently fall short in directly addressing the broader consequences they inadvertently unleash.

The crucial point shifts to the community, the ultimate beneficiary and unaware fighter against the outcomes. As the community tackles with the consequences, the need for a collaborative and informed approach becomes essential. Rather than instructing the community as a tool to resolve issues, a more effective strategy involves showcasing a comprehensive picture.

Drawing inspiration from Antoine de Saint-Exupery's words, "If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." In the context of industry and its consequences, this philosophy promotes for introducing a collective thirst for a better, sustainable future. It emphasizes education over compulsion, fostering a shared understanding of the bigger picture.

Mitra Nikpay