10 May Asset Resilience: From scientific discovery to Government policy

Buckminster Fuller famously said “Science paces technology, technology paces industry, industry paces economics and economics paces politics.”

I can testify to this observation as we have seen this process played out in the Asset Resilience arena over the past 10 years.

We have seen, and contributed to, the scientific understanding that has led to new technologies, and in turn innovative products to protect businesses and speed up remediation from unexpected events. We have seen businesses embrace the adoption of products and measures to protect themselves and reduce overall total cost of ownership of their assets.

This has led to a growing resilience industry, healthy competition and improved choice in the marketplace, which is hugely beneficial for the economy.

Finally, as part of our involvement with BITC (Business In The Community) and specifically our work with BERG (Business Emergency Resilience Group) we have seen Government adopt Resilience Thinking and provide resilience grants for businesses to protect themselves.

I believe the key insight in Fuller’s observation is that each one of his stages does not simply precede the next one but paces it. As the pace of scientific discovery increases and the technology lifecycle shortens we are seeing products come to market and have national economic effect faster than ever before bringing value and cost savings to the commercial sector.

But who is pacing understanding in the residential sector?

The challenge now is to promote the same cycle of resilience understanding in the residential sector. Government is already there and providing assistance. In the flood-hit North West of England we are working closely with local authorities to promote grants and assistance for homeowners – read more here.

But without the competitive pressure of business driving resilience thinking in the residential world, what is missing is the oxygen of publicity to promote the full beneficial effect for homeowners in the UK’s target flood areas.

Insurance companies are playing their part, but it is vital the national media tell stories about resilience to help people grasp the concept and the benefits the way business has begun to. With coming uncertainty around weather patterns the time is right for the national media take the opportunity to educate people and not just meet their responsibility to report misfortune and misery where preparation and understanding is absent.

When it comes to public understanding only the media can pace change.