Story of Stuff
Introduction
The materials economy describes where our stuff comes from and where it goes.
Why is this system in trouble?
What are limits?
Why does the cartoon represent corporations as bigger than the government?
Extraction
How much of the natural resources base of the Earth has been consumed?
How much of the US forests are still around? 4%
What percent of the population lives in the US? 5%
How much of the worlds resources do we use? 30
What percent of fisheries are overfished?
How much of the planet’s original forests are gone?
Production
How many synthetic chemicals are in our products today?
What are BFRs? Why are they used? What’s the problem?
What food is at the top of the food chain with the highest amount of toxic chemicals?
Why do 200,000 people per day move to cities?
Toxics in ______ out.
How many pounds of toxic chemicals do US producers put out per year?
Distribution
Take notes as you see fit.
Consumption
Take notes as you see fit.
Disposal
Take notes as you see fit.
Another Way
Take notes as you see fit.
Reflection Questions:
1. How the United States consumption patterns of today compare to those of Easter Island?
Explain.
2. What is the main idea behind the story of stuff? Cite 5 pieces of scientific evidence that the
presenter uses as evidence to reach this conclusion.