Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff

In 'The Sotry of Stuff', Annie Leonard exposes the fundamental flaw in the 'production cycle'.

The 'production cycle' is the method of production adopted by every developed nation, and increasingly by the developing world. The cycle starts from natural resources and continues through production to product use. The fundamental flaw in this cycle is that it is actually not a 'cycle', but rather a linear process. As a result the end product is never re-integrated into the natural environment. Used products are discarded and pollute the natural environment.

Annie Leonard highlights the urgency of this issue by noting that 30% of the worlds resources have been used in the last 4 decades. She also recognises that it is not only the government that is responsible (through regulatory supervision), but also the individuals. People have the power to change these methods by altering their purchasing habits to be environmentally mindful. Ultimately it is the individual consumer, and their money that will motivate change.