trashbusters007
kelly493
westbyz80
almal4
saragraves
The Story of Stuff is a presentation conducted byAnnie Leonard about the sources and destinations of our “stuff.” Leonard has spent the last 10 years researching the flow of materials and the problems that have risen throughout the cycle.
Leonard explains that our resources essentially go through five steps: Extraction, Production, Distribution, Consumption, and Disposal; she calls this order the materials economy. Leonard then goes on to explain each step, elaborating on the people involved, the statistics publically known, and the hidden facts that many do not know.
Throughout the video Leonard also mentions other social problems that have arisen because of the choices made by the government and large corporations. Our system is in crisis, and it is because that is how we abused it. When a country runs out of resources, it takes them from other countries; in turn, jobs are lost and those who once had possession of those resources are forced to work in factories with low wages and unsafe working conditions. Corporations feed this crisis by distributing products that either break down in six months, or become “out of fashion.” The result of this? Waste, waste and more waste. And what do we do with the waste? Either bury it in the ground, burn it (releasing toxins into the air), or transfer it somewhere else.
At the end of the video Leonard presents many different approaches to deal with our stuff, including the commonly known concept of recycling. While Leonard fully encourages recycling, she states that it is simply not enough because of the number of items that aren’t designed to be recycled. She emphasizes that the best way to deal with the problem is from the start, beginning with “cleaner production, better product design, composting, recycling and using less stuff overall.”
Leonard was able to wrap up the presentation in 20 minutes- pretty amazing considering the complexity of the issue. She uncovers many shocking statistics and information that is often overlooked, and manages to make it interesting and simple. If you want to learn more, don’t wait! Check out the website at www.thestoryofstuff.com.
