Dear readers, by now, I believe we could fill whole books with the things we think are granted.

The multitude of products in our daily lives is made possible by a complex system of interconnected industries. Notably, glues, adhesives, and sealants serve as essential materials for countless applications. All of us DIY people know it.

It's widely understood that, in a worst-case scenario occurring within the next ten years, or possibly sooner, based on what I saw last year, current stockpiles will be depleted rapidly.

The facilities required to produce these items are incredibly complex, relying on an extensive network of interconnected sub-branches within the petrochemical industry. While returning to traditional methods holds appeal for those who experienced the craftsmanship of hand-made boots in the 1960s, 1970s, or even the 1980s, modern industry, much of it now based overseas, has taken over these specialized areas…with the known impacts on the price (and the quality). Consequently, should future manufacturing lines face significant disruption due to a major global event, such as a potential extended conflict, we would find ourselves woefully unprepared to bind even the simplest objects. The ready availability of glues and sealants, a convenience we currently take for granted, would become nothing but a forgotten luxury.

Scarcity shows up in unexpected places.

Mind you, the inspiration behind advocating for this article comes from my personal experiences with scarcity in Venezuela over the past several years. This isn't just a theoretical concern; it mirrors the hardships we faced once access to essential items became limited or disappeared entirely.