1 / 38

Understanding the Tragedy of the Commons: Environmental Challenges and Sustainability

Garrett Hardin's 1968 essay, "The Tragedy of the Commons," explores the inevitable depletion of shared resources as individuals act in their self-interest. It uses the analogy of an over-grazed pasture to illustrate how common resources like air, oceans, and soil suffer when access is unrestricted. Hardin highlights the conflict between individual profit and the common good, addressing issues of pollution, economic growth, and population pressures. The essay underlines the necessity for sustainable practices and cooperative efforts across society to meet human needs while preserving the environment for future generations.

niabi
Download Presentation

Understanding the Tragedy of the Commons: Environmental Challenges and Sustainability

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Envi Sci 2013 Notes 1.2

  2. Tragedy of the Commons (Garrett Hardin)

  3. Tragedy of the Commons • Garret Hardin (Bio prof @ UCal Santa Barbara) wrote the essay way back in 1968… • The gist: • a pasture is open to all for grazing livestock. • the more animals that graze, the more individual profit each farmer can make. • …but more animals eat more grass… • And eventually, the pasture is eaten bare and everyone has nothing!

  4. Tragedy expanded… • The analogy: the Commons/pasture represents a natural resource (air…the oceans…soil…etc.) • If no one has control over it (to maintain it and keep it from being polluted or used up for greed and personal gain) it will soon be spoiled and useless. • Does an auto manufacturer have the “right” to pollute the air that everyone breathes to increase profit?

  5. - individual interests vs. the common good

  6. free access & unrestricted demand • for finite resource(s)

  7. - resource will be depleted through over-use: individuals are motivated to maximize their personal use of the common resource without the responsibility to maintain, replenish or manage it (sustainability)

  8. • Economics & the Environment (how economics affects environmental issues)

  9. - supply & demand: item value increases with demand. ex: oil supply decreases/ we pay more; we find new energy source & use less oil, price ↓

  10. - cost/benefit analysis: “green” cars cost more to make… auto company passes higher cost on to consumer; consumer pays higher price or “chooses” to pollute...

  11. - risk assessment: Perceived danger of an act or process. Example: Is nuclear power “safer” than burning coal to produce electricity?

  12. Developed/Developing Countries

  13. …unequal distribution of wealth & resources DEVELOPED DEVELOPING Lower average income Rapid population growth Simple agricultural/economic base Social support system weak or nonexistant • Higher average income • Slower population growth • Diverse industrial/economic base • Strong social support system

  14. Root causes of environmental problems

  15. - human population growth out-paces local environment’s ability to supply/support it

  16. - people use,waste, and/or pollute resources faster than they can be replaced/renewed/cleaned up…

  17. Local Population Pressures

  18. forests stripped bare

  19. Animals driven extinct

  20. Depleted topsoil

  21. malnutrition, starvation, disease

  22. ...even as resources dwindle, population continues to increase (developing countries)

  23. Consumption Trends

  24. - creates more waste & pollution per person...

  25. Ecological Footprint(expresses differences in consumption between nations) • How much land is needed for food (crops & grazing) • Forest products (home construction, furniture, etc.) • Housing needs (material and space required) • Impact on oceans & rainforests (CO2 absorption from fossil fuel use)

  26. Environmental Science in Context

  27. Simple solutions are rare….

  28. environmental issues have become social/economic issues

  29. • Info is distorted to serve agendas of big business. • People are misled. • Bias & special interests win out over the “right thing” to do. • The media sensationalizes for ratings and profit.

  30. SO WHO SHOULD YOU TRUST? • critical thinking skills & good science MUST PREVAIL • be prepared to listen to many viewpoints • investigate information sources for bias & conclusions

  31. SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science human needs are met in such a way that humans can survive indefinitely.

  32. SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science will require cooperative effort: between people…

  33. SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science will require cooperative effort: between nations...

  34. SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science will require cooperative effort: between industry & the balance of nature…

  35. SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science will require cooperative effort: between government & individual...

  36. Thank you for your tie.

More Related