week+4

Write six paragraphs, one on each stage of the 'materials economy', and define its interactions. paragraphs/one stage each paragraph)
 * Tutorial #4 Wiki Question:**

- Consumption: Consumption is the process of using up goods that are available. Consumption of goods has been a major problem on our planet as the Earth’s population rises. The rise of the Global population coinciding with many unnecessary removals of plants has led to record low levels of supplies. Even though consumption may lead to scarcity in supplies/products, consumption is also the main driver of the economy. Also increased consumption, coinciding with reduction in supplies creates increased costs for these supplies. (because of low supplies, price increases)

- Disposal: Disposal is waste that is created through consumption or any other waste created by other parts of the cycle. Disposal usually takes place by disposing waste in landfills. Disposal of these wastes often pollutes our environment. Also not using the proper disposal methods (not recycling), creates immense pollution in landfills. Many of these garbage/disposals can be reused or recycled. Since disposal does create pollution, it also affects our environment and climate.

- Distribution: Distribution is the process of getting the goods/supplies to the companies/people. Companies try to keep distribution fast paced and low cost basis. Distribution of products also creates pollution and companies that often distribute these products get their products from cheap labour. A computer maybe made in several continents as they are made from cheap labour with certain parts being made in certain country.

- Extraction: Extraction is the process of getting rid of the plants/crops from the planet for needs such as consumption. Extraction is one of the main reasons why our supplies are low. Humans cannot function without extracting goods such as crops, oil and water. However, the governing bodies of the society often tend to over extract and waste these resources resulting in scarcity.

- Production: Production is the process of turning the extracted resources into the produced goods. This where goods are created through the functions of production. Produced goods often go through many chemical hazards and put on the market. Production is also the place where a lot of workers get taken advantage of. Many workers in the third world nations are often paid low wages to several jobs. This not only does harm to these abused workers but it also takes many of the jobs away from people in North America.

- One of the ways to make these procedures more efficient and effective is to let companies use its “home” workers (workers from the same country) do the job. A computer doesn’t need to be built in China if the job can be done in Canada. Also we should follow the 3 R’s very closely (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). We should reduce the amount of goods that we extract; we should reuse plastics and metal and recycle paper and plastics. History shows that our resources are at record low levels, more abuse of these resources are going to hit 3rd world nations. Let’s Reduce, Reuse and Recyle!

 Leonard, A. "Story of Stuff, Referenced and Annotated Script." //Storyofstuff.com//. 30 Jan 2011, from < [|annie_leonard_footnoted_script.pdf]>.