Tragedy of the Commons,Ecological Footprint, and Sustainability

HESMs. Sipe

The Tragedy of the Commons is…

When a resource that is shared without responsibility or accountability, becomes degraded and depleted.

There is a conflict between the good of the individual and what’s good for all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFkUeleHPY

Tragedy of the Commons Lab: “Fishing from a Communal Lake”

Goals:

Maximize your benefits as fishers to provide for you, your family, and earn a living.

To understand the concept of the concept of “The Tragedy of the Commons” .

To understand how we as a society can put a stop to this tragedy.

Tragedy of the Commons Lab: “Fishing from a Communal Lake”

In Groups of 3-4 at a lab station:

• You and your partners will fish in a communal lake• You will fish once per year for five years• Each fishing season lasts 10 seconds• Nine fish are needed each season for your survival• Surviving fish reproduce, but the lake cannot exceed

120 fish

Game 1- NO TALKING Game 2- YOU MAY TALK

Tragedy of the Commons Lab: “Fishing from a Communal Lake”

Once Data is collected:

• Return the lab station to its original condition; obtain teacher signature

• Create a double line graph showing how the starting fish population changed over time for both games

• Answer analysis Questions #1-9• Lab Extension TBD later this week; will be done in

class if time allows

Science 1968 Garrett Hardin’s Tragedy of the Commons

• "Freedom in a common brings ruin to all."

• Shared resources are considered “the commons”

• A “Tragedy” develops whenever a finite resource is being consumed at a steady or increasing rate.

• Welfare “cheats” commons by handicapping the population- if you’re struggling, here’s $$

Can you come up with examples of modern commons?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP): A real life “Tragedy of Commons”

Oprah Documentaryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTurihxSTnI

Picture Slide showhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5y1W5xduiE

Is there a solution to “Tragedy of the Commons?

Tragedy of the CommonsIs there a solution?

• Privatization- Creates incentive for individuals to minimize abuse of commons

• Restrict Access through rules/regulations

• Trout stamps, water rights for irrigation, catch limits

• Changing our values/lifestyle: The best solution, but most difficult to achieve

• The power of the consumer…

ConsumerismThe decisions you make as a consumer can have

enormous impact on the environment

• Food: why buy organic? Why go vegetarian or vegan?

• Energy: would you pay extra for solar?

• Packaging: How much plastic do you purchase through packaging?

• Transportation: hummers vs. hybrids, function vs. fashion

• What do you value? What does your family value?

Can we measure what you consume?

The Ecological Footprint

A measure of how much a person consumes/uses, expressed in area of land

Ecological Footprint

The area of land/sea that is required to sustain your current lifestyle (in acres/hectares)

1 acre ~ 1 football field in area1 hectare ~ 10,000 m2 (1 ha > 1 acre)

Developed Countries have LARGER footprintsMore $ means more consumption, waste

Developing countries have smaller impact per person, but faster population growth, increasing demand for resources

3rd world dreams of 1st world luxuries (can you blame them?)

Ecological footprints (ha.)

EcoFP classified by land use

In your opinion, what is “The American Dream”?

How may that “dream” pose a contradiction to the themes of this

course?

“The American Dream”

Own a large homeBig Yard for kids to playWhite picket fence, etc.

Drive a large car(s)Raise a large, happy familySend your kids to college

Retire with money to spend

Source: www.npr.org

How can we reduce our ecological footprint?

Write your answer in your journal.

Recycle products Buy recycled products

Re-Use materials and avoid disposable products (not everything is recyclable)

Reduce the amount we buy (Do I NEED another pair of jeans???)

Find products that have less packaging/Buy in BulkUse re-usable water bottles.

Shop from environmentally friendly companies (you’ll have to do some research)

Buy locally produced materialsBuy organic food

Use environmentally friendly alternatives to household chemicals

What else can we do???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP1nzCqoT9g

Human Population GrowthThe root cause of all environmental issues!

More people means more demand forFood

Clean waterEnergy

Other resources like minerals, lumber, etc.Jobs

At what expense?

The Goal: Sustainability

Scientists still debate over the definition“Wise use”

Sustainable Society- balancing human development and resource conservation to preserve for future

generations

Sustainable Economy- can grow w/o irrevocable harm to environment

Human Well-Being Depends on Sustainable Practices

Sustainable Development- development that balances current human well-being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations.

Use it, don’t use it up!

Homework

• Calculate your EFP 2 ways, if not done during class• Capture a screenshot of your online EFP calculation• EFP reflective essay- 1-2 paragraphs max!

• Watch the following TED Talks- Sustainability Video at the link below

http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_steffen_sees_a_sustainable_future.html

All Due NLT Fri 9/18