Envi Sci 2013

Notes 1.2

Tragedy of the Commons (Garrett Hardin)

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!

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?

- individual interests vs. the common good

-free access & unrestricted demand for finite resource(s)

- 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)

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

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

- 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...

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

Developed/Developing Countries

…unequal distribution of wealth & resources

DEVELOPED• Higher average income• Slower population growth• Diverse industrial/economic

base• Strong social support

system

DEVELOPING• Lower average income• Rapid population growth• Simple

agricultural/economic base• Social support system weak

or nonexistant

Root causes of environmental problems

- human population growth out-paces local environment’s ability to

supply/support it

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

up…

Local Population Pressures

forests stripped bare

Animals driven extinct

Depleted topsoil

malnutrition,starvation,disease

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

Consumption Trends

- creates more waste & pollution per person...

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)

Environmental Science in Context

Simple solutions are rare….

environmental issues have become social/economic issues

• 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.

• critical thinking skills & good science MUST PREVAIL

• be prepared to listen to many viewpoints

• investigate information sources for bias & conclusions

SO WHO SHOULD YOU TRUST?

SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science

human needs are met in such a way that humans can survive

indefinitely.

SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science

will require cooperative effort: between people…

SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science

will require cooperative effort: between nations...

SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science

will require cooperative effort: between industry & the balance

of nature…

SUSTAINABILITY: the key goal of environmental science

will require cooperative effort: between government &

individual...

Thank you for your tie.