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This text explores the conflict between short-term individual interests and long-term societal welfare, as discussed by Garrett Hardin. It delves into the Tragedy of the Commons concept, where unchecked exploitation of shared resources leads to depletion. Cost-benefit analysis, economic impacts, and population pressures are examined, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and responsible resource management. The text also highlights the importance of accurate risk assessment, consumption trends, and ecological footprints in addressing environmental challenges in a global context, calling for collective action towards a sustainable world.
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The Environment and Society Chapter 1Section 2
(1968) Garrett Hardin’s essay addressed the conflict between the short-term interests of individuals and the long-term welfare of society Tragedy of the Commons
The commons were areas of land that belonged to a whole village Anyone could graze cows or sheep on the commons Commons
Problem with the Commons • Short-term interest: each individual wanted to graze as many animals as possible (“If I don’t use this resource, someone else will!”) • Long-term welfare: when too many animals were allowed to graze on the commons, the grass was destroyed and everyone suffered • (overgrazing = fewer animals)
Hardin’s Main Idea • If no one takes responsibility for maintaining a resource, it can become over used and depleted • Earth’s natural resources are our modern commons (everyone is using the resources, but few are concerned with conservation)
Supply and Demand: The greater the demand for a limited supply of something, the more it is worth Example: oil (as oil supplies decrease, prices go up) Economics and the Environment
Costs and Benefits • Balances the cost of an action against the benefits • Results often depend on WHO is doing the analysis • To an industry, the cost of pollution control may outweigh the benefits • To a nearby community, the benefits may be worth the high price
Used to create cost-effective ways to protect our health AND the environment To reach an effective solution, the public must perceive the risk accurately Risk Assessment
Developed: higher average incomes, slower population growth, diverse industrial economies, stronger social support systems Ex: U.S., Canada, Japan. Western Europe Developing: lower average incomes, simple agriculture-based economies, rapid population growth Ex: Mexico, Brazil, Malaysia Developed and Developing Countries
Population and Consumption • Local Population Pressures When populations grow rapidly, there may not be enough natural resources for everyone to live a healthy, productive life Common problems: deforestation, depletion of topsoil, animal extinction, malnutrition, starvation, disease
Developed nations use more natural resources than developing nations Ex: Use 75% of world’s resources, but only make up 20% of the world’s population! Consumption Trends
Ecological Footprint • The productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country • Includes land for crops and grazing, forest products, housing, ocean area for seafood, forest area needed to absorb air pollution from fossil fuels, etc.
Environmental Science in Context • Environmental problems are complex and require critical thinking skills • To complicate problems, the environment has become a battleground for political agendas • Listen to both sides of a problem and identify your own bias
Main Causes of Environmental Problems • 1. population crisis: human popn. Is growing too quickly for Earth to support • 2. consumption crisis: humans use up, waste, pollute, and destroy natural resources faster than they could be cleaned up or replaced
Sustainability: a condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human popn could survive indefinitely Requires everyone’s participation A Sustainable World
