Nature is Circular: Why Aren’t We?

Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash

For millions of years, natural processes have operated efficiently in a circular manner. In nature, there are no landfills; instead, everything transforms and ultimately returns to the environment. This inherent circularity can be observed in all fundamental processes of nature, from the life cycles of animals and food webs to the carbon and water cycles. 

However, our society currently utilizes a linear economy, also known as a “take, make, and waste” economic model. In such a model, resources are taken from the Earth, made into products for humans to consume, and finally deposited in landfills as waste. 

Using a linear economy has contributed to significant environmental challenges in our modern society. For example, Earth Overshoot Day — which began in 1971 —marks when human use of resources exceeds the amount that Earth can sustainably regenerate in one calendar year. As a society, we live beyond our means, which will inevitably create an unsustainable future for later generations, making it evident that using a linear economy is not working.

Recently, many have come to believe that a circular economy is a potential solution to our growing waste crisis. According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a pioneer in the global circularity movement, a circular economy is an economic system in which “materials never become waste and nature is regenerated.” In addition, this system is where “products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.” The central focus of the circular economy is to design products that are more durable and easier to recycle, resulting in minimal or no waste. By doing so, we can reduce our reliance on resources and promote sustainable practices in both production and consumption.

Photo by Antoine GIRET on Unsplash

In the face of today's environmental challenges, young people are extremely influential in driving the transition towards a circular economy. We can incorporate circular economy principles into our lives, reduce reliance on single-use plastics, embrace sustainable fashion, and support businesses prioritizing eco-friendly practices.

However, 16-year-old Marco Valdez of Mecca, California said there needs to be more education for young people about the reuse and regeneration of materials. “Most young people don't know about the harm of these issues,” Valdez said, “but promoting a circular economy to them could not only inform and educate them on the matter but also enable them to spread the word [about a circular economy].”

Thus, to rectify this issue, we can inspire others to adopt these practices by raising awareness within our communities, schools, neighborhoods, and social circles. For example, as Valdez said, one method through which he could implement circular practices would be to “...invest in a water filter so that (I could) reduce the number of water bottles (my family uses).”

Young individuals can shape opinions and encourage policy changes by learning and advocating for the incorporation of circular economy concepts in various ways. When these collective efforts are multiplied across communities and nations globally, they hold the potential to drive change toward creating a more sustainable future for everyone.

Utilizing a circular economy minimizes resource depletion and ensures conservation for future generations. This approach can also aid in achieving environmental justice, where all members of society have equal access to environmental resources and a voice in creating regulations that impact their environmental rights.

Currently,  many companies — such as Target, which illegally dumped some 2,000 hazardous waste items from 2012 to 2014 — are dumping their waste inside or close to underserved communities, also known as environmental justice communities. These actions worsen the already extensive environmental issues such as poor air quality and contaminated water that residents of environmental justice communities endure.

As a resident of the Coachella Valley, I have often encountered pungent odors that emanate from the Salton Sea, especially during the summer. The receding water levels in the Sea, have led to higher levels of microscopic particles known as particulate matter in the air, while the high nutrient concentrations have made the lake uninhabitable for marine life. These factors have caused significant air and water quality problems. So, we must adopt circular economy principles and attempt to reduce the rate at which waste is produced. This is essential to our quest for environmental justice in our communities.