Environmentalists are notoriously pessimistic. They confidently claim, “We consume too much, there are too many people, capitalism destroys nature…”. I disagree. Over the past few years, I have become increasingly optimistic about our chances at not only survival, but prospering. 

I recently read an article about the automation of warehouses for major companies. Intelligent robots run around the wharehouse and fill orders that have been entered over a company’s website. An order that used to take over 3 hours to fill, now takes 12 minutes! Think about that. There are less humans involved, and the ones that are have an easier and less dangerous job. See the video below.

In addition to removing human needs, the use of automation allows for a dramatic reduction in energy consumption. Robots do not need lights, heat, or rest – think about the efficiency of this. With increasing automation at both the production and distribution level, we can continue to break the Malthusian cycle of resource restriction. 

Let me sketch out a possible future: Lettuce, Tomatoes and other plants are planted and harvested by robots, then placed in a storage facility, when the supermarket goes low on stock it automatically issues an order to the warehouse (already happening at Wal-Mart), the order is filled by a robot at the warehouse (see video), placed in a truck that is automatically driven to the supermarket, another robot restocks the shelf and all these devices (including the vegetables) are powered by the sun. What in that process is not technically possible? 

Soon, we will all be sitting around sipping martinis in lush, rich natural environments while robots do our work. Today we laugh at the idea of living in a cave, 25 year life-spans and no medicine; one day, not so far from now, we will look back and ourselves and say, how did we ever live like that?

The Canadian Bar Association has invited legal futurist, Richard Susskind, to speak at a the Canadian launch of his new book The End of Lawyers: Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services. The event will take place at the National Club on February 11. Anyone can register here.

His argument in a nutshell: lawyers have become too expensive, which is why the market will turn to those who can provide legal service at much lower rates thanks to technology and commoditization. Those who are most innovative in finding new ways to delivering legal  services will reap the rewards.

You can read the first chapter of Susskind’s book on the CBA’s website.

Here is a bulletin from our site, it was published on January 3rd, 2009.

Under the new New Product Stewardship Regulations, the companies that produce or distribute product packaging or printed paper (stewards) in Manitoba are responsible for developing a program to manage designated wastes.

The Regulation targets all product packaging and printed papers that would normally be managed through a municipal waste management system, but must now be included under a stewardship program plan.

There are no product fees or levies identified in regulation. Industry will be required to determine an appropriate financial system and propose fees to ensure the sustainable management of all designated material.

There are also no requirements for licensing. Industry Stewards must operate or participate in a stewardship program or cannot sell their products in Manitoba.

This regulation comes into force on the day it is registered under The Regulations Act.

More commentary on the Federal budget from the National Post quoting Matthew Bramley, director of the climate change program the Pembina Institute. Bramley’s main issue seems to be that Canada is budgeted to spend about four times less per capita on clean energy than the US, which is looking into an ambitious upgrade of its electricity, clean power and renewable energy initiatives.

In terms of dollars and cents, the conservative government in Canada is arguing that its $1-billion clean energy fund  will promote carbon capture and storage, and $351-million will be directed to nuclear power, hardly items that generate a lot of enthusiasm from environmentalists.

Since it’s been in power, the Harper government has shown little enthusiasm for  green projects.  Being naturally inclined towards conservatism, it might simply be that it hasn’t the stomach for untested initiatives.  With this budget, on environmental matters at least, the government seems to be taking a “wait and see” approach.

Next week is the TED conference. At this moment, I am too poor and too un-accomplished to attend. However, we can now get a live stream of the conference and that is exactly what we have done.  Our office will be showing the conference live on a projector screen. Space is very limited and may already be full, but if you want to stop by for a coffee and talk, drop me an email.