South Shropshire Climate Action
Refuse & reduce
Changing the system to reduce our impact
To reduce carbon emissions we need to reduce the amount we buy and throw away.
This 20 minute video ‘The Story of Stuff' by Annie Leonard explains how most of the things we buy use the industrial production model "take, make and throw away’’ – which means items have a linear – one directional life span. The materials are extracted from the earth - made into the item – distributed and sold to consumers – used - then thrown away.
A circular economy and Doughnut Economics offer more sustainable models of production.
Circular economies design products to be more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable, and are therefore kept in use for as long as possible. This helps to eliminate waste and pollution; prioritises using renewable materials and renewable energy sources; and can help to regenerate Nature.
The Helen MacArthur Foundation website provides more information and examples about how circular economies work.
Kate Raworth's video on ‘Doughnut Economics,' extends the Circular Economy and “offers a vision of what it means for humanity to thrive in the 21st century” in ways that promote social and ecological justice. The video is below.
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More on Doughnut Economics
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The DEAL (Doughnut Economics Action Lab) website demonstrates how to turn theory into action, and Civic Square is a case study from Birmingham.
The image below of Doughnut Economics is taken from the DEAL website.
