Materials Economy (ENG 101 Case wk4)

Materials Economy
Name
Institution
Introduction
Today, most people use products for a short while after which they end up as disposal. This is because of the linear system that facilitates in heightened use of products after which their longevity is decreased. Furthermore, this is attributed by the term materials economy. This refers to the system in which products undergo. It comprises of extraction, production, distribution, consumption as well as disposal. The video attempts to illustrate this process through comprehensive analysis of the system. The interaction of the variable in the system contributes to the effect that the products are having on the environment as well as the societies. Furthermore, the corporations have an effect on this system as they influence the government’s priorities in addressing the needs of the environment Vis a Vis the corporations. Hence, the paper attempts to analyze the materials economy through discussion of the components involved in the system.
Degradation of natural resources
This refers to the resource deterioration including water, soil and air. Furthermore, it includes the destruction of the ecosystems as well as wildlife extinction. In addition, it can refer to the reduction of the ability of the environment to meet the needs as well as the objectives of the society and the ecology. In a bid to increase the capacity in employment of different products, the environment is being degraded at an alarming rate. There is no sustainable development, as societies tend to utilize resources exceeding their limit. For instance, the United States has less than four percent of their forests while forty percent of the water is undrinkable. Moreover, the country uses thirty percent of their resources worldwide despite being five percent of the population of the world. The statistics of Amazon require special attention as the trees are being degraded at the rate of 2000 per every minute. Furthermore, this system entails employment of resources as a measure of having value and as such, the population around Amazon is seen as invaluable as they cannot influence the degradation in that area. Hence, there is a need to reduce the rate of degradation as this will lead to depletion of ecological environments that facilitate in supporting the different habitats of the different species of the plants and animals.
Production
This involves the process of growing or manufacturing of products with a view of selling them. Thus, the natural resources are converted in the factories to products for sale. Furthermore, in other industries, these products are mixed with the chemicals that are toxic thus leading to products that are contaminated by toxic products. Such products find their way into our home facilitating in deterioration of the health of the society. For instance, there should be a ban to the BFR’s of in other words brominated flame retardants. These chemicals are very tox...