The Story of Stuff — A Video Exploring The Cycle of Waste and Beyond

My friend Joe, knowing my passion for the environment, recently sent me a link to a short 20 minute video, which I thought was just about waste and recycling. Boy, was I wrong. The Story of Stuff, explores the global materials economy and its impact on the economy, environment and health. Written and narrated by Annie Leonard, an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, Leonard takes us through the production and waste cycle from: extraction to production, distribution to consumption then finally to disposal. After disposal, the video closes with finding needed alternatives focusing on sustainability and equity in these dire times. Some alternatives mentioned are closed loop production, renewable energy (which I cited in a previous post) and local living economy. The Story of Stuff’s site also has a great blog, chocked full of info, insight and resources. Annie spends a lot of time, coupled with her expertise, thinking about where stuff comes from, how it was made, packaged and its final impact on the Earth. Glad someone with her “street creds” is doing so. And thanks, Joe!