Originally published in Forbes on March 4, 2020
Up until recently, the stock market has been skyrocketing while our planet is visibly sinking under the weight of human consumption. Thus, it is fascinating to watch the correction taking place under the weight of the deadly COVID-19 this week, though arguably nowhere near as economically severe as the consequences of climate change in the coming decades.
Why this incoherent situation? Because the financial markets and the financial drivers for executives have become beholden to quantitative easing, tax cuts and short-term gains instead of the long-term sustainability of businesses based on real-world factors like unit economics, profitability potential or, climate science. Meanwhile, the resilience of most businesses will depend on the ability of people to live, prosper, and be able to purchase goods and services in a stable physical and political environment.
There is no denying that we, humans, are a fascinating, dichotomous species with our ability to rationalize as our biggest strength, and perhaps proving to be our largest vulnerability.
At our core, we want to extend our lives on Earth as long as possible, and yet, we are letting the fragile balance that allows us to live here collapse. Why and how could we let this happen? Particularly in a supposedly world-leading country like the United States with such ingenuity, rugged individualism and collective resources? Perhaps, this is actually part of the problem.