Noor's+Lab+4

**Lab 4**

 * Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describe its interactions.**

Annie Leonard defines the systems of the ‘materials economy’ with 5 major steps: extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Leonard describes our system as a system of crises because the ‘materials economy’ is a linear system that is working on a finite planet. She believes that there is a lot more missing from this system, her belief encouraged her to travel the World and spend 10 years looking into this explanation. Every step of the way; the system is interacting with the real world which includes societies, cultures, economies and environments, and all along the way it is bumping into limits. One major thing that the system of ‘materials economy’ is missing is people, and the ones that matter the most are the government and corporations.

Extraction is another word for trashing; we keep using our resources to satisfy our wants. This is one of the limits that the ‘materials economy’ is bumping into because we are running out of resources. The process of production is where energy is used to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make products that we buy. This process is affecting our health, people who have no other option but to work in factories are being affected the most. The next process that follows production is distribution where all the products get sold, the goal is to keep prices low, keep the people buying, and keep the inventory moving. They are able to sell at low prices by keeping the wages down, and cut down on health care. Consumption which is the next process is the heart of the ‘materials economy’ this is what is keeping the system alive. The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods. The two most effective strategies that they use to brainwash us are planned obsolescence, and perceived obsolescence. Advertisements are also used to persuade us to buy stuff that is “in fashion”. Disposal is the last process in the ‘materials economy’; we dispose all stuff that we have purchased not too long ago. This causes more pollution in the air, land, water and it creates more toxins.

Lastly, Recycling helps with reducing disposal and reducing extraction. However recycling is not enough, and will never be enough because there is a lot of stuff that is produced that cannot be recycled either because it contains too many toxics; or it is designed not to be recycled in the first place. This shows us that it is a system of crises, with all these limits along the way. Leonard mentions that when people along the system get united we can transform this linear system into something new, a system that does not waste resources or people. We must create a system that focuses on sustainability, equity, green chemistry, zero waste, closed loop production, renewable energy, and local living economies. People have created the system of ‘materials economy’ therefore; we are able to create a new system.