Tragedy of the Commons

What does the tragedy of the commons refer to? A) Individual exploitation of shared resource leads to long term depletion for all B) Debates between land use of farmers and merchants in 18th century England C) Thomas Malthus' Principle of Population that the planet cannot sustain exponential human population growth D) Recognition that developed nations are primarily responsible for increased levels of greenhouse gasses

A) Individual exploitation of shared resource leads to long term depletion for all

Which of the following BEST illustrates a tragedy of the commons? A) The Gulf of Mexico has an area at the mouth of the Mississippi River known as the dead zone due to hypoxic conditions. The lack of oxygen in this area is a result of fertilizer runoff from farmlands all along the Mississippi River. B) A pond on privately owned land is regularly overfished by the family that owns it. Every year, they buy more fish to restock the pond. No plans have been made to change these practices. C) A couple decides to have a large family. Every successive birth puts more stress on the family budget as the food, space, and other resources are divided between more and more members of the group. D) A large city decides to impose greater fines for parking infractions. As a result, more people begin to use public transportation and traffic congestion is reduced.

A) The Gulf of Mexico has an area at the mouth of the Mississippi River known as the dead zone due to hypoxic conditions. The lack of oxygen in this area is a result of fertilizer runoff from farmlands all along the Mississippi River.

Which of the following describes how private ownership of a shared resource would help in reducing the effects of the tragedy of the commons? A) There will be incentives for the owner to protect the land. B) People will become pitted against one another. C) The owner can create unlimited access for the use of the shared resource. D) The owner will have the land to themselves solely for self-gain.

A) There will be incentives for the owner to protect the land.

A pasture is used for grazing and has no set regulations for how often a farmer's sheep can come and graze. Which of the following would NOT be an environmental effect as a result of this shared resource? A) Increase in soil erosion. B) A decrease in the spread of invasive species. C) Desertification. D) Increase in water pollution.

B) A decrease in the spread of invasive species.

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B) If individuals are not directly affected by their decisions surrounding resource consumption and environmental pollution, they are unlikely to moderate the use of a resource or to protect the environment from the resulting pollution from the use of a resource.

Which factor might be used to prevent a tragedy of the commons of a shared resource? A) Unlimited use of the resource B) Anonymity when using the resource C) Regulations on the use of the resource D) Equal access to the resource

C) Regulations on the use of the resource

According to the concept of the tragedy of the commons, why do individuals make decisions that will ultimately harm the environment? A) Individuals must make decisions that will harm the environment in order to survive. B) Individuals make decisions that will preserve the common good even if that is at the expense of the environment. C) Individuals will use shared resources in the interest of the common good until resources are depleted and they have to act in their own self-interest. D) Individuals will use shared resources in their own self-interest rather than in keeping with the common good, thereby depleting the resources.

D) Individuals will use shared resources in their own self-interest rather than in keeping with the common good, thereby depleting the resources.

A tragedy of the commons occurs when shared resources are overused, often in terms of self-interest. Sometimes privatization may be used as a route in which to preserve a resource. By allocating ownership of a resource, it is more likely that a person or group of people will manage the use of the resource and conserve the resource. Privatization may be best used as a way of conservation for which scenario provided? A) Protection of fish in rivers from non-source pollutants. B) Reduction of airborne particulates in large cities. C) Conservation of fish species in Lake Erie. D) Management of land for cattle raising.

D) Management of land for cattle raising.

All of the following are examples of Tragedy of the Commons EXCEPT A) The decline of passenger pigeons due to overhunting and overexploitation. B) Pollution in Earth's atmosphere by worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. C) Water contamination of rivers and streams in West Virginia through mountaintop removal. D) Redefining a country's borders to include more mountainous​ terrain.

D) Redefining a country's borders to include more mountainous​ terrain.

The graph above shows a significant decline in the Atlantic Cod stock. The cod were not owned by one processing company and the government did not impose strict and enforceable quotas on the harvest. As a result, fisherman raced against each other to harvest as much as they could. This is an example of A) maximum sustainable yield. B) positive feedback loops. C) the second law of thermodynamics. D) ​the tragedy of the commons.

D) ​the tragedy of the commons.