twu_week4analysis

**Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describe its interactions.**
Annie Leonard defines the system of the “materials economy” by articulating that stuff moves through five key processes: extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal. These five stages ultimately make up the “materials economy.” However, Leonard states that the current linear system is in a crisis as we, as individuals, are living on a finite planet. We cannot run a linear system on a finite planet because the system bumps on limits and interacts with society, culture, and the environment. To elaborate, Leonard takes us through the five stages of the “materials economy” and proposes solutions and actions for change.

Extraction is the first stage and is defined as natural resource exploitation. The current issue at hand is that we are running out of resources and using too much stuff. Throughout the past few decades, one-third of the planet’s natural resource space has been consumed. By cutting, mining, hauling, and trashing the planet, we are undermining the planet’s ability for people to live sustainable lives. Leonard expresses her concerns by giving facts about how we have less than 4% of original forest left on the planet and have accumulated 40% of undrinkable water on Earth. As a result, it is evident that we are using more resources than our share, causing us to produce more toxins and waste. Furthermore, many organizations are using third world countries as a solution to their natural resource limits, but this is not the right action to take.

Production is the second stage and is where energy is used to mix toxic chemicals in with natural resources, which in turn, make toxic contaminated products. Leonard stresses that there are more than 100,000 synthetic chemicals used in commerce today and only a handful have been tested for health impacts. An example of a hazardous neurotoxin is brominated flame retardant (BFR). These chemicals make things more fireproof and exist in computers, appliances, couches, and even pillows. Furthermore, as toxins continue to spread and exist in our ecosystem, it builds up throughout the human chain, where babies are getting the highest dosage of toxins due to breast feeding. In addition, many people move to the cities looking for jobs no matter how toxic it is.

Distribution is the third stage of the “materials economy” and is where toxic contaminated junk is sold as quickly as possible. The goal is to keep prices down, keep people buying, and keep inventory moving. Prices are lowered due to the externalization of costs.

Consumption is the fourth stage and heart of the entire system. According to Leonard, we have become a nation of consumers and our value is measured by how much we consume. Victor Lebeau, a retail analyst, states: “Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction in consumption.” Organizations increase levels of consumption through planned and perceived obsolescence. An example of planned obsolescence is when companies discuss how fast they can make stuff break so that they can get consumers to purchase a new one. Perceived obsolescence convinces us to throw away stuff that is perfectly useful. Fashion plays a role in this definition because new styles and designs are promoted and launched every year, causing consumers to conform to these trends, thus becoming a victim of consumption.

Disposal is the final stage of the cycle and is where garbage gets dumped in a landfill or burned in an incinerator. Incineration pollutes the air, land, water, and changes the climate. It also releases toxins in the air, which makes new super-toxins such as dioxin. Therefore, we can stop the creation of dioxin by refraining from burning our trash. Although recycling helps reduce the amount of garbage on our planet, it is still not enough.

To conclude, Leonard tells us that there are many points of intervention as people are finally seeing the big picture. Individuals are reuniting to reclaim and change the system to something new. She proposes that change is to be based on sustainability and equity. Examples such as green chemistry, zero waste, closed loop production, renewable energy, and local living economies will allow us to create something new.

**Works Cited:**
Leonard, Annie. “The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard.” Creative Commons Attributions. <http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html