Decoding Tomorrow: Why On Earth Are We Shopping Like There Is No Tomorrow?
Anders Sorman-Nilsson
Global Futurist I Keynote Speaker of the Year I Storyteller I AI & Sustainable Futures Keynote Speaker I Executive Coach I 2nd Renaissance Podcast Host I Content Collaborator I Brand Ambassador I Entrepreneurs Org Member
As the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicks into high gear, millions of us are scouring online deals and filling shopping carts, eager to snag the best bargains. It’s an annual ritual fueled by excitement, urgency, and, let’s face it, the irresistible allure of more.
But as we revel in the convenience of next-day delivery and the dopamine hits of discount hunting, there’s a bigger question we need to confront:
What’s the cost of over-consumption on our planet?
The Problem: Consumption and the Climate Crisis
?E-commerce, the darling of modern retail, is a double-edged sword. While it has revolutionized accessibility and convenience, it’s also accelerating unsustainable practices:
The Opportunity: Technology as a Sustainability Ally
At the DHL Era of Sustainable Logistics conference in Singapore, I spoke about how technology isn’t just part of the problem—it’s also a key part of the solution.
According to BCG, companies can achieve 45-70% reductions in carbon emissions by adopting smart technologies and sustainable practices, such as:
These tools, coupled with the concept of Twin Transformation (aligning digital and sustainability strategies), offer a clear path forward. But the key is balancing convenience with conscious consumption.
The Paradox of Black Friday/Cyber Monday
This paradox—balancing growth and sustainability—isn’t new. As I highlighted in my keynote, it’s okay to hold two opposing ideas in mind at once. We can enjoy the benefits of modern retail while acknowledging the need for change.
Companies like Patagonia and House of Hackney are leading the way by aligning their business models with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and giving boardseats to nature and future generations.
Imagine if every purchase you made during Black Friday/Cyber Monday came with transparency about its carbon impact. Imagine retailers incentivizing you to buy less but better—fewer items, designed to last, created with the planet in mind.
A Call to Action
This weekend, as you shop mindfully (or abstain), I challenge you to ask yourself:
Businesses, too, have an opportunity to lead. By leveraging technology to reduce emissions, embracing circular models, and prioritizing transparency, companies can stay ahead of consumer expectations and regulatory changes.
Final Thoughts
?The future doesn’t demand that we abandon convenience or growth; it asks that we redefine them. As consumers and businesses, we each have a role in shaping a more sustainable tomorrow.
Technology is here to help—but only if we use it wisely.
This Black Friday and Cyber Monday, let’s turn the narrative from more to better. Together, we can decode a future where consumption aligns with conservation.
What are your thoughts? How are you balancing convenience and sustainability this shopping season? I’d love to hear from you.
Founder and CEO
3 个月Great article Anders. I admire Patagonia. Shopping at this time is like watching Lemmings. It's a strange dynamic with lots of shopping and lots of whingeing about cost of living. Things don't add up.
All the big brands have spent billions on getting us addicted during the last 30 or so years, and it has worked, we are all addicted to buying way more than we require. Fashion could be the worst, but many other sectors are as bad. We are consuming ourselves to death. Way, way too much retail.