TASK 2B: SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

The story of cosmetics

Annie Leonard takes us through 'the story of cosmetics' by first revealing to us how obsessed the world is with material goods, and how we so carelessly treat the planet, along with each other, resulting in all-round unhappiness.

She suggests that we turn problems into solutions by first looking at everyday products such as shampoos, which masquerade around as being 'herbal', 'natural' or 'organic' but which in actual fact, have soaring toxicity levels and various cancer-causing agents present, such as carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins.

She sums up the concept of why such products contain harmful chemicals quite succinctly with the phrase 'toxins in, toxins out', meaning, the poisons that are pumped in during the manufacturing process of a product, are directly what the product is made of.

She urges manufacturers such as Procter and Gamble to dump their 50s' mindsets, and for laws to be implemented, allowing a change in the system, towards a safer and healthier future of consumers.

Life psycle-ology

'Life psycle-ology' uncovers the secret and unseen life of a mobile phone, Eric, who is seeing a therapist as he is troubled with an existential crisis after his owner dumps him for a newer model.

The therapist takes Eric through his past life, while the video explores the unknown environmental impacts of everyday things, using an innovative approach in communicating and engaging people with the concept of sustainability.

It encourages product life-cycle thinking and environmentally sustainable decision-making in design and product development, promoting eco-design, allowing and educating designers in making more informed and conscious decisions that will result in products with an overall lighter
carbon footprint.