Are first-world countries displaying their privilege by transitioning away from oil?



Good morning! Happy National Chili Day! As we celebrate this beloved dish, it's worth noting that the supply chain behind chili production is a complex and fascinating process. From sourcing the freshest ingredients to ensuring efficient distribution, every step of the chili supply chain is crucial to delivering a delicious and satisfying meal to consumers. So grab a bowl of chili and join us as we delve into the world of supply chain management. 🥣

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Many third-world countries have limited financial resources, making it challenging to invest in the necessary infrastructure and technology required for a transition to clean energy. Developing and implementing new technologies can be expensive, and these costs may be too high for countries with limited financial resources.

Check out today’s featured article from Forbes to read about the transition away from oil as a fuel source and how many first-world countries are not considering the repercussions for the rest of the world. Will third-world countries be able to keep up?


Featured Article:

The Overprivileged West’s Delusion Of ‘Transitioning Away From Oil | Forbes

“Over 15 years in the business, easily the smartest people I’ve met in energy reside in Calgary and Toronto:”


Lithium & Government 🚜

Nevada lithium mine faces environmentalist backlash

A U.S. judge has asked a federal agency to revisit part of its approval of the plans to create a Lithium Americas mine in Nevada, near the Oregon border. Conservationists and an Oregon tribe are advocating to stop the construction plans with the help of the Western Watersheds Project.

Lithium mining can have a significant environmental impact, particularly in fragile ecosystems. It can result in deforestation, water pollution, soil degradation, and harm to wildlife. Conservationists are concerned that the construction of new lithium mines could harm the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Lithium mining can have significant social impacts, particularly on indigenous communities that rely on the land for their livelihoods. Conservationists are concerned about the potential displacement of these communities and the impact that mining could have on their traditional ways of life.

Read more from AP News ▶


Ports & Labor issues ⛴️

West Coasts labor talks have promising progress in the near future, says LA Port director

Los Angeles port director Gene Seroka is attempting to calm the waters after nearly a year of labor talks with the port workers union. Seroka is expecting real progress by spring after west coat dock workers have been working without a labor contract since the summer of 2022.

Labor contracts provide job security for workers by establishing specific terms and conditions for employment, such as wages, benefits, and work rules. This helps to ensure that workers are protected from arbitrary layoffs, terminations, or changes in working conditions. Labor contracts also allow unionized workers to engage in collective bargaining with their employers to negotiate fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. This gives workers a stronger voice in the workplace and helps to ensure that their interests are represented. Additionally, labor contracts often include provisions related to workplace safety, such as equipment standards, training requirements, and procedures for reporting and addressing safety concerns. This helps to protect workers from accidents and injuries on the job.

Read more from Supply Chain Dive ▶


Let’s Get Global 🌎

🚢 The Asia shipping market is looking sluggish in 2023. The global economy has been experiencing significant uncertainty in recent years, with concerns about a potential recession, geopolitical tensions, and other factors weighing on consumer and business confidence. This uncertainty has led to reduced demand for shipping services as companies scale back their operations and investment plans. The Asia shipping market is facing a range of challenges that are slowing down its growth and profitability. While some of these challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may be temporary, others, such as overcapacity and environmental regulations, are likely to have longer-term impacts on the industry.

👾 Cyberattacks are a major global risk. Cyberattacks are a growing threat to global supply chains, and they can result in significant disruption, financial loss, and reputational damage. Preparing for cyberattacks requires a proactive and collaborative approach. By conducting regular risk assessments, educating employees, establishing policies and procedures, developing incident response plans, collaborating with suppliers, and monitoring and reviewing the supply chain, the global supply chain can prepare for cyberattacks and minimize the impact of any potential incidents.

🌎 Regionalism is trending, with no signs of stopping. The global shipping industry has traditionally operated on a global scale, with vessels crossing oceans and continents to transport goods from one part of the world to another. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend toward regionalism in the shipping industry due to rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, supply chain disruptions, trade tensions, and changing consumer preferences. While global shipping will continue to play an essential role in the global economy, regional shipping can provide a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient option for transporting goods.


iLevel With You 🏡

More topics for the average American household to consider…

🤑 Wall Street is concerned over the dim retail forecast. Large retailers such as Home Depot and Walmart are projecting a weaker economy this year due to declining consumer spending. Wall Street seems to be expecting a possible recession regardless of The Federal Reserve’s efforts to stop inflation. The U.S. economy has only been kept afloat by stubborn consumers who have continued to shop despite extremely high-interest rates. The tides may be changing soon.

🏢 Missouri welcomes many new distribution centers. The combination of Missouri's central location, transportation infrastructure, business-friendly environment, proximity to major cities, and availability of real estate make it an attractive location for distribution centers. Missouri is located in the heart of the United States, making it a central location for distribution to both the East and West coasts. This strategic location provides access to a large portion of the U.S. population, allowing companies to serve their customers more efficiently and cost-effectively.

👱‍♀️The RILA show highlights why diverse executive teams enhance business operations. Studies have shown that companies with more women in leadership roles tend to have higher levels of employee engagement and retention. Women leaders may be seen as more approachable and supportive, and they may be better able to advocate for the needs and interests of employees. Many businesses have a significant female customer base, and having women on leadership teams can help organizations better understand and serve their customers' needs.

😤 Amazon’s return-to-office mandate has employees fuming. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that its workers are required to come back to the office, and a group of 5,000 employees has officially signed a petition to drop the mandate. Many claim the move lacks clear data as to why it is a good decision, and have voiced concerns about child care, commuting, and work-life balance after years of adjusting to the change.


Get Smart 🧠

Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…

📦 Last-mile delivery is one of the most important facets of the supply chain. Efficient last-minute delivery requires effective coordination and communication between various stakeholders, including retailers, logistics providers, and transportation companies. By optimizing last-minute delivery, companies can improve their supply chain efficiency and maximize their profitability while meeting customer demands and expectations.

👉 What is the importance of order picking? The importance of order picking lies in its ability to impact customer satisfaction, warehouse productivity, and operational efficiency. By optimizing the order-picking process, companies can improve their bottom line while providing exceptional customer service.

🏈 NFL quarterback Peyton Manning highlights the importance of leadership at the RILA show. Peyton Manning is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons from 1998 to 2015. He is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and holds numerous NFL records, including the most career touchdown passes and most career passing yards.

🚂 Railroad workers are sounding the alarm for reform after the Ohio derailment. The train derailment has been on many headlines this week as questions are drawn into the cause and effect of the resulting hazardous spill. Unions and railroads have been sparring over regulatory reform for years and workers are now pointing to the disaster as a reason to refocus on what they’re calling “poor” working conditions.

🏆 Supply chain command centers can add massive value to a company. A supply chain command center (SCCC) is a centralized hub that monitors and manages end-to-end supply chain operations. The supply chain can provide transparency across the entire supply chain network by sharing real-time data, such as inventory levels, shipment status, and lead times.

⚡️Uber Freight & WattEV are joining together to deploy electric trucks in SoCal. The partnership will focus on WattEv’s electric vehicle capabilities and Uber Freight’s shippers. The pilot is expected to optimize the EV movement in the region and get more shippers involved in the EV adoption transition.


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