Tragedy of the Commons

What is the definition of the tragedy of the commons?

• when humans overuse a natural resource

• when the short-term, positive effects go to the individual, while the long-term, negative effects are spread out to the group

• when humans act selfishly, thinking of the own interest

• when plants and animals compete for space, resources, and/or food

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of the following are both examples of the tragedy of the commons?

• overfishing and earthquakes

• flooding and tsunamis

• pollution and overpopulation

• super-germs and virus outbreaks

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

The theory of the "tragedy of commons" was written by

• Garret Hardin

• Dr Seuss

• Richard Bachman

• William Forest Lloyd

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Which of the following quotes seems to be taken directly from the tragedy of the commons (Nature 1968)?

• "Among the savage nations of hunters and fishers, every individual who is able to work is more or less employed in useful labor, and endeavors to provide....the necessaries and conveniences of life, for himself, and such of his family or tribe"

• "There is one and only one social responsibility of business - to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it...engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud"

• "There's no cause for alarm. I chopped down one tree. I am doing no harm. This thing is a thneed ...that everyone needs"

• "The rationale herdsman concludes that the only sensible course for him to pursue is to add another animal to his herd. And another, and another...Therein is the tragedy"

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-3

Which of the following is an example of a solution to the tragedy of the commons?

• Improving literacy among urban populations

• Inventing stronger antibiotics

• Raising taxes for large corporations

• Passing laws to prevent overharvesting

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What do we mean when we refer to "commons" in environmental science?

• shared values

• shared resources

• shared personalities

• shared classes

Which of the following is NOT an example of a commons?

• air

• oceans

• private beach

• forests

In the story of Easter Island, what was considered the commons?

• the statues

• the ocean

• the trees

• the Europeans

Sustainability is

• the process of maintaining resources so they are not depleted or permanently damaged

• the ability to use resources faster than they are renewed

• they ability to save resources for years and years

• the process of using resources for one's own benefit without regard for others

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

In the story of Easter Island, what was the unintended consequence of clear cutting all the trees?

• They were able to erect a lot of statues

• They built many boats

• Their environment was destroyed

• They were able to get more cows

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4