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 * 1. Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describes its interactions. **

Annie Leonard describes the materials economy as a linear system which illustrates how materials are owned and to whom they belong. Initially, materials start off with extraction, move forward to production, goes through distribution, consumption, and finally disposal. This process describes the different channels products go through to end up where they are today and in the hands of users. According to Annie Leonard a problem exists with the extraction in the sense that we have a limited supply of what can be extracted. Due to the amount of new products coming out every month, the raw materials to make these products are significantly decreasing. The main problem is due to corporations rather than the government. Corporations are constantly producing newer products to gain more profits but which leads to a larger disposal of what’s old. The main issue Leonard identifies is the consumers, thus the people themselves. The reason for this is that the consumers are the ones who allow new products to constantly come out as they continue to buy them. Overall, the material economy is dependant on consumers and their buying trends. If consumers refuse new products coming out every few months, corporations would be forced to change their methods, thus saving our resources.