An environmental activist best known for her film documentary “The Story of Stuff” visited campus on April 22 for Earth Day, and her message was simple: People are happier not when they buy “stuff” but when they form quality relationships and work toward common goals.
Annie Leonard, author of “The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession With Stuff Is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-and a Vision for Change” and creator of “The Story of Stuff,” spoke in McKinnon Hall about society’s relationship with the world’s resources.
“We are trashing the planet, trashing each other and not even having fun,” Leonard said.
Her film, “The Story of Stuff,” examines how economic policies of the post-World War II era ushered in notions of “planned obsolescence” and “perceived obsolescence” and how these notions are still driving much of the U.S. and global economies today.
An expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, with more than 20 years of experience investigating factories and dumps around the world, Leonard completed her undergraduate studies at Barnard College, Columbia University and graduate work in city and regional planning at Cornell University.
She has traveled to over 30 countries, including Haiti, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Pakistan and South Africa, in her work investigating and promoting anti-pollution issues internationally.
Leonard’s visit was Sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, the Center for Environmental Studies, General Studies and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.
Leonard said that harmful toxins released into the air are the bi-products from consumer products. Leonard said that buying less toxic products is just one way to reduce toxic wastes.
Leonard also said that some societies consume too many resources and manufactured goods while others are not consuming enough. Another problem Leonard said she see is that society is not “having fun” destroying the environment as measured by levels of happiness.
“How could we not be having fun?” she said. “We have the coolest stuff ever.”
Leonard said people across ethnicities, social strata and nationalities are truly happy when they have quality social relationships, a strong sense of purpose and when they join together to work toward a shared goal.
Leonard said society is trapped in a cycle she describes as “work, watch, spend.” Americans are working harder than ever, spending more and seeing more advertisements than ever before, but that leaves little time for socializing and working toward happiness.
Before becoming the director of “The Story of Stuff Project,” Leonard worked for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Health Care Without Harm, Essential Action and Greenpeace International.
– Written by Samantha King ’12