the story of stuff with annie leonard

A single Earth means that we are limited in our resources indefinitely.
This video examines the linear system; from extraction, to production, to distribution, to consumption and disposal of the materials economy.
The confronting news that is delivered by Leonard, illustrates that we are living in a day and age where the amount of resources being consumed may be detrimental to the planet and its stakeholders.

Extraction of raw materials is the exploitation of the earth's resources. Leonard explains that the system that is currently processing these resources is under a linear system. This system, stated 'in crisis' is unable to cater to the infinite demand within a finite planet. Therefore she states that there cannot be a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.

Production is where energy is used to mix toxic chemicals with the natural resources to make contaminated products. With over 100,000 synthetic chemicals being used in industries today only a handful have been tested on health impacts, not to mention the unknown synergetic effects of mixed toxic chemicals. Factory workers are the most susceptible to these chemicals, which shows that not only are resources being exploited and wasted, but people and their communities.

Distribution of these chemical-induced products comes next, where they are sold as low cost as possible. This attracts consumers into buying these products and the companies continue externalising their true costs of production to keep inventory flowing. The bulk of negative impacts are felt on the raw materials and in more developing countries where factories are set up.

Consumption is the driving arrow of this system and consumerism is greatly molded by the terms "planned" and "perceived obsolescence". Our culture has been designed so that consuming has become a way of life, buying and throwing away. It is planned into products; when they will break and become useless (planned obsolescence), or they will be seemed to be needed to be replaced (perceived obsolescence). Either way we are tricked into buying products that we will not necessarily need, or replacing products to remain 'fashionable'.

However we choose to dispose of our waste, they predominantly have a very damaging effect on our planet. Whether this waste is placed in a landfill, or burned and placed in a landfill, each method is harmful to the environment and the resources used to develop these products are wasted polluting our air, land and water.
Although recycling may seem a good alternative it cannot keep up with amount of waste being produced within the material economy.

Leonard confronts a major sustainable hurdle in this video, and also opens up the consumer's eyes to what we are doing in contributing to these harmful causes. As designers we should always consider a sustainable environment, working towards a new system; a system based on rationalising waste and making the linear system a closed loop system.