ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Chapter 1 Science and the Environment 1.2 The Environment and Society

1.2 The Environment and Society Objectives Describe The Tragedy of the Commons. Describe The Tragedy of the Commons. Explain the law of supply and demand. Explain the law of supply and demand. List three differences between developed and developing countries. List three differences between developed and developing countries. Explain what sustainability is, and describe why it is a goal of environmental science. Explain what sustainability is, and describe why it is a goal of environmental science.

Introduction When addressing environmental problems, it is important to consider human societies, how they act, and what they do. When addressing environmental problems, it is important to consider human societies, how they act, and what they do. Society uses many common resources. Society uses many common resources. The 1968 essay, The Tragedy of the Commons, by ecologist Garrett Hardin addressed our approach to common resources and had a significant impact on the environmental movement. The 1968 essay, The Tragedy of the Commons, by ecologist Garrett Hardin addressed our approach to common resources and had a significant impact on the environmental movement.

The Tragedy of the Commons The conflict between the short-term interests of individuals and the long-term welfare of society is the main difficulty in solving environmental problems. The conflict between the short-term interests of individuals and the long-term welfare of society is the main difficulty in solving environmental problems. The “commons” of the essay was an area of land that belonged to the whole village. The “commons” of the essay was an area of land that belonged to the whole village. The short-term interest of the individual was to put as many animals on the area for grazing as possible – if I don’t use the free resource, then someone else will was the guiding philosophy. The short-term interest of the individual was to put as many animals on the area for grazing as possible – if I don’t use the free resource, then someone else will was the guiding philosophy. However, overgrazing destroyed the grass and no one could use the commons. However, overgrazing destroyed the grass and no one could use the commons.

The Tragedy of the Commons The commons were replaced by closed fields owned by individuals. The commons were replaced by closed fields owned by individuals. The new landowners were careful not to overgraze because it would jeopardize their future productivity. The new landowners were careful not to overgraze because it would jeopardize their future productivity. The point is, someone or some group has to take responsibility for maintaining a resource in order to avoid overuse. The point is, someone or some group has to take responsibility for maintaining a resource in order to avoid overuse. Hardin suggested that the continued depletion of resources could lead to the eventual collapse of society. Hardin suggested that the continued depletion of resources could lead to the eventual collapse of society.

Economics and the Environment The law of supply and demand states that the greater the demand for a limited supply of something, the more that “something” is worth. The law of supply and demand states that the greater the demand for a limited supply of something, the more that “something” is worth. If the supply of oil decreases, there are three options. If the supply of oil decreases, there are three options. Pay the higher price Pay the higher price Use less oil Use less oil Find new sources of energy Find new sources of energy A cost-benefit analysis balances the costs of something against the expected benefits. A cost-benefit analysis balances the costs of something against the expected benefits.

Supply and Demand

Economics and the Environment A risk-assessment is a tool that helps us create cost-effective ways to protect our health and the environment. A risk-assessment is a tool that helps us create cost-effective ways to protect our health and the environment. The public must perceive a risk accurately in order to come up with an effective solution. The public must perceive a risk accurately in order to come up with an effective solution.

Developed and Developing Countries Wealth and resources are not distributed evenly among nations. Wealth and resources are not distributed evenly among nations. Developed countries tend to have higher per capita income, slower (or negative) population growth, diverse industrial economies, and stronger social support systems. Developed countries tend to have higher per capita income, slower (or negative) population growth, diverse industrial economies, and stronger social support systems. Examples; United States, Australia, Canada, Japan Examples; United States, Australia, Canada, Japan Developing countries have lower per capita income, simple and agriculture-based economies, and rapid population growth. Developing countries have lower per capita income, simple and agriculture-based economies, and rapid population growth. Examples; Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan Examples; Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan

Population and Consumption Almost all environmental problems can be traced back to two root causes; population and consumption. Almost all environmental problems can be traced back to two root causes; population and consumption. Severely overpopulated regions cannot provide enough natural resources to the people who live there. Severely overpopulated regions cannot provide enough natural resources to the people who live there. Forests are often destroyed, erosion common, and species driven to extinction. Forests are often destroyed, erosion common, and species driven to extinction. Malnutrition, starvation, and disease become major obstacles faced by those in these regions. Malnutrition, starvation, and disease become major obstacles faced by those in these regions.

Population and Consumption The most rapid human population growth is most rapid in developing countries. The most rapid human population growth is most rapid in developing countries. Of the 4.5 billion people in developing countries, fewer than half have access to enough food, drinking water, and proper sanitation. Of the 4.5 billion people in developing countries, fewer than half have access to enough food, drinking water, and proper sanitation. Population growth has stopped or slowed greatly in developed nations. Population growth has stopped or slowed greatly in developed nations. Developed nations use about 75% of the world’s resources, though they make up only about 20% of the population. Developed nations use about 75% of the world’s resources, though they make up only about 20% of the population.

Population and Consumption An ecological footprint shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country. An ecological footprint shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country. Individuals living in developed nations have a much larger ecological footprint than those in developing nations due to demand for resources, position on ecological pyramid, and consumption of fossil fuels. Individuals living in developed nations have a much larger ecological footprint than those in developing nations due to demand for resources, position on ecological pyramid, and consumption of fossil fuels.

Environmental Science in Context Environmental problems are often complex and there are no simple answers. Environmental problems are often complex and there are no simple answers. Political, economic, and social issues are woven into the fabric of most environmental problems. Political, economic, and social issues are woven into the fabric of most environmental problems. With people arguing passionately on both sides of environmental issues, it is important to consider the source of information on issues and realize hidden agendas that may be present. With people arguing passionately on both sides of environmental issues, it is important to consider the source of information on issues and realize hidden agendas that may be present. Listening to many viewpoints and applying critical thinking skills helps an individual make a well-informed, educated decision on environmental issues. Listening to many viewpoints and applying critical thinking skills helps an individual make a well-informed, educated decision on environmental issues.

A Sustainable World Achieving sustainability is a key goal of environmental science. Achieving sustainability is a key goal of environmental science. Sustainability is the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely. Sustainability is the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely. In a sustainable world, things do change. In a sustainable world, things do change. Achieving a sustainable world is obtainable as long as everyone from the average person to chiefs of state promotes environmental awareness and environmentally friendly practices. Achieving a sustainable world is obtainable as long as everyone from the average person to chiefs of state promotes environmental awareness and environmentally friendly practices.

References Broken Stalactites - Broken Stalactites Cathedral Caverns Stalagmites - hedral_caverns Cathedral Caverns Stalagmites - hedral_caverns hedral_caverns hedral_caverns Supply and Demand Curve - bonds_archive.html Supply and Demand Curve - bonds_archive.html bonds_archive.html bonds_archive.html Supply and Demand of Oil - Supply and Demand of Oil -

References Selected Ecological Footprints - Indicators/EcoFootp.html Selected Ecological Footprints - Indicators/EcoFootp.html Indicators/EcoFootp.html Indicators/EcoFootp.html