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REVISION CARDS - THE MATERIALS ECONOMY (A LINEAR SYSTEM) |
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V.Ryan © 2016 | ||
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THE MATERIALS ECONOMY It is a system that starts with the extraction of raw materials from the ground and their processing into usable materials. This is followed by the materials being used to manufacture products in factories (called production). The next two stages are the distribution of products to retail outlets or direct to the consumer (consumption). The last stage, at the end of the products useful life, is disposal. This elementary way of describing the Materials Economy, reveals a simple but important flaw with the system. It is unsustainable. |
THE MATERIALS ECONOMY The system affects everyone. Billions of people are employed in the Materials Economy (see below). REMOVING RAW MATERIALS FROM THE GROUND PROCESSING MATERIALS IN FACTORIES MAKING PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTING THE PRODUCTS CONSUMERS - WE BUY PRODUCTS PRODUCTS DISPOSED / DUMPED |
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THE MATERIALS ECONOMY Damage to the environment. CAN THE SYSTEM BE CHANGED? |
ANALTERNATIVE TO THE MATERIALS ECONOMY
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QUESTIONS | ||
1. What is the Materials Economy? 5 marks | ||
2. How could the Materials Economy be changed to benefit people and the environment? 4 marks | ||
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