Lab+4


 * Lab 4 **

Annie Leonard defines the materials economy as a cycle of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal, which are discussed below. She draws attention to the fact that people think the system is working fine however, it is a disaster. She continues to say that this system is reducing our planet resources. The major issue being that the cycle that indefinite cannot exist for too long in an environment with finite resources.

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**Extraction**: It is the first stage in the process of production. It is the removal of natural resources/ raw materials such as minerals, food, water, coal, etc from their sources. This process has been done for more than three decades in excess thus reducing the world's natural resources by one-third. Annie Leonard refers to extraction as 'trashing the planet' because extraction of resources is what takes away the finite natural resources that we have elf ton this planet. This causes more damage to the future generations as well as our present. Increasing populations have increased production and as stated by Annie Leonard, we are consuming too much and therefore there is a constant need of extraction for production purposes. =====

**Production:** The next stage is the process of production by which minerals are taken from the extraction phase and made into products with the use of energy and other toxic substances. Most of these products that are produced with chemicals are harmful for the environment and the people, which is why Annie emphasizes how dangerous it is. Companies have increased their production in order to make more money and have also moved their production units to locations with lesser pollution regulations from the government.

**Distribution:** This is a process of distributing products and transporting them to people at the lowest rates possible. It tries to keep the prices low so that people can keep buying their goods thus externalizing costs. A lot of energy is used in transporting these goods to retail outlets, thus increasing traffic pollution.

**Consumption:** It is a simple process of consumers buying goods and services in the market. Workers work many hours a day to satisfy consumer needs. The consumption in the US alone has increased drastically which allows for more extraction, production, distribution and then more consumption again. Annie refers to this phase as the 'golden' phase as it fuels the entire system.

**Disposal:** This is the final stage where the wastes left behind after making products are trashed and disposed. A lot of the waste is incinerated or thrown into the sea/ocean thereby polluting the environment by the increased release of toxins. Also, greenhouse gases are released into the air which is harmful to people. Some solutions can be to recycle waste products and design products that reduce wastes considerably.