tragedy of the commons, ecological footprint, and sustainability hes ms. sipe
TRANSCRIPT
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?
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?)
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
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