5.1 Tragedy of the Commons
What are the negative consequences of air pollution from coal power plants?
Bronchitis, asthma, increased healthcare costs
What are fees or taxes imposed by the government for resource use?
Charges for using a resource to prevent overuse or degradation.
Give an example of a regulation to address Tragedy of the Commons.
Clean Air Act
Name three laws that address pollution of air and water resources in the US.
Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act.
What does the BLM do to prevent overgrazing?
Collects grazing fees and monitors the state of rangelands.
What is an example of inadequate fees for resource use?
Nestle paying less than $2000 a year for pumping water despite making $300 million from water sales.
What is the difference between a public restroom and a personal restroom?
No direct responsibility or consequences in a public restroom
Why does Tragedy of the Commons happen?
No ownership leads to no direct consequences for depleting or degrading resources
What is the main problem with Tragedy of the Commons?
No penalty for overuse or degradation of resources
Give examples of Tragedy of the Commons.
Overuse of groundwater, water & air pollution, overfishing, overgrazing
What is Tragedy of the Commons (TOC)?
Overuse of shared/public resources
Why is private ownership a solution for Tragedy of the Commons?
People take better care of their own things
Give an example of a fee for resource use.
Permit fees for grazing cattle on public land.
What is the solution for Tragedy of the Commons?
Private or government ownership of resources
What authority does the United States EPA have under these laws?
Ability to sue or fine companies for polluting beyond acceptable levels.
What is the consequence of pesticide runoff from farms?
Contamination of drinking water
What is the impact of overgrazing?
Destruction of land and vegetation
What can the government do to address pollution of shared resources?
Enact laws imposing taxes, fines, or criminal charges.
What is one way to regulate resource use?
Fees or taxes for use, such as a permit system
What are the negative consequences of overfishing?
Fishery collapse, loss of income, starvation
What are the negative consequences of water and air pollution?
Health issues, increased costs
Give an example of private land ownership as a solution for Tragedy of the Commons.
Individual or government ownership of land
What are some penalties for overusing or degrading shared resources?
Taxes, fines, criminal charges
Why can fees for resource use be effective?
They discourage overuse and promote sustainable use.
What is the role of the BLM in repairing the effects of overgrazing?
They work to repair the damage caused by overgrazing.
How can Tragedy of the Commons be solved?
Through ownership, regulation, and penalties
What is the purpose of fees for resource use?
To make users pay for the amount of resource they use.
What is the purpose of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)?
To manage rangelands and prevent overgrazing.
