What crises actually do is expose the underlying fragility and structural flaws within an economy and society. Some of this is endemic – financial markets are fragile because they are giant pools of sentiment and leverage at their heart.

Western societies have to heed the strategies of the east where innovation and progress are fundamental parts of their attitudes to business. Japanese carmakers built their sustainability from their constant ability to innovate rather than being cheaper.

Everything we do in one sense or another is consummatory. We consume religious narratives, we consume literature, we consume friendships. Our mate choices are the ultimate form of consumer choice.

I often pose a critical question to businesses: if the economy began transitioning towards sustainability, would this be a boon or a bane for your business? If it's perceived as a threat, your paramount priority should be to modify your business model until this transition becomes an opportunity.

Materials move much more easily than knowledge. But when people mistakenly believe that the material is the binding constraint, they tend to come up with these bone-headed development strategies. Silicon Valley didn't specialize in silicon transistors because there was a lot of sand nearby.