Is the orange economy our blue ocean?

Just like individuals, communities are unique in their own ways. Finding this unique purpose can be the most natural, powerful way to unlock a world of opportunities and potential for ourselves and those around us.

I believe, strongly, that the poly-crisis of the global pandemic, the rising cost of living, and armed conflicts offer a valuable opportunity to decide what shared purpose drives our progress forward.

Just like a blue ocean, a unique purpose is where an abundance mentality prevails, with clarity, smoothness, and opportunities. Whereas a red ocean is where a scarcity mentality is more common with vagueness, rigidity, and bloody competition.

Based on the current global quest by communities to find their niche, it would be beneficial to know what economy suits better for the next century so we can lean on it today.

Should we invest more in further building the hydrocarbon economy? a blue and green economy? or an orange economy?

A hydrocarbon economy

Without the precious hydrocarbons, we would not be enjoying the current convenient lifestyle that our ancestors could only dream of.

Most notably, we rely on subsurface oil and gas to grow our food, give us power, move goods and services, manufacture medicine, and almost every other aspect of our lives.

Now that we are discovering that continuing to emit carbon, without clear plans on reducing and removing it, is not sustainable a change is required. While the hydrocarbon economy served us well for over a century it is time to consider paradigm shifts that complement it and guarantee a healthier planet.

Blue and green economy

Blue and green economies go hand in hand, as they call for the responsible leveraging of natural resources on land, in the oceans, and in the atmosphere.

Environmental momentum around the world succeeded in prioritising environmental considerations in global agenda-setting. Having said this, human activity, including the need for food and water security for our earth’s eight billion people, means that we need a delicate balancing act.

Since land use can only be optimised by the massive adoption of regenerative farming, saving our oceans means an end to widely spread overfishing and militarisation of oceans, and it could take years to make a positive global impact.

Orange Economy

The reason I am rooting for the orange economy is that it relies on human creativity and innovation. Whether it is arts or software development, all the above economies need breakthroughs that are only possible if we keep investing keeping an open mind when it comes to responsible innovation, and sharing this open-minded, responsible innovation spirit with present and future generations.

We are living through a slow-paced artificial intelligence revolution, driven by our need for faster and cheaper productivity.

Therefore, to make the most out of this revolution. We must consciously realise it can give us a unique sense of purpose, and that we must regulate it in a way that harnesses the powers of the other types of economies and moves us forward better.