1. DO NOW
In your journal on page ___ , identify the two types of succession and what event can lead to them. Then, draw a picture of each.

2. Environmental Science Ms. Parton
Environmental Policy
Environmental Science
Ms. Parton

3. The Tragedy of the Commons Lab – The Scenario
You are the head of your household and your family needs food to survive. The only food source available is a small fishing hole that you share with three other families. The small fishing hole can only accommodate 16 fish due to limiting factors (dissolved oxygen, food, shelter, etc.). Fortunately, after each fishing season every remaining fish will spontaneously reproduce to make one new fish (i.e. 2 fish will become 4 fish). You will take turns fishing and each person is allowed to take as many or as few fish as you want, but if you take no fish, your family will starve. Extra profit can be earned for your family by selling excess fish. Do not discuss your strategy with your table.

4. The Tragedy of the Commons Lab – Part I
The “pond” is the paper plate in front of you.
Your “fishing pole” is the spoon.
The “fish” are the goldfish crackers (do not eat).
Each round is 1 minute and each person gets 15 seconds to fish. Organize yourself to keep time and let each other know when to start fishing.
You will rotate your fishing order every round so that everyone has a chance to go first. The lab will continue for several rounds.
At the end of each round, the number of remaining fishes will be doubled to simulate reproduction. The maximum number of fish in the pond is 16!
Make sure to record your data on your student lab sheet.

5. The Tragedy of the Commons Lab
The tragedy of the commons is a term used to describe a situation in a shared-resource system where individual users acting independently according to their own self-interest behave contrary to the common good of all by depleting or spoiling that resource through their actions.
Because the environment is the largest shared- resource system with the most “users,” we often use this concept when talking about shared responsibility in protecting the planet and living sustainably.

6. So how should you share the pond?
You have five minutes to discuss a strategy as a table. Come up with a plan where you can feed your families (maybe make a little profit) while acting sustainably.

7. The Tragedy of the Commons Lab – Part II
The “pond” is the paper plate in front of you.
Your “fishing pole” is the spoon.
The “fish” are the goldfish crackers (do not eat).
Each round is 1 minute and each person gets 15 seconds to fish. Organize yourself to keep time and let each other know when to start fishing.
You will rotate your fishing order every round so that everyone has a chance to go first. The lab will continue for several rounds.
At the end of each round, the number of remaining fishes will be doubled to simulate reproduction. The maximum number of fish in the pond is 16!
Make sure to record your data on your student lab sheet.

8. The Tragedy of the Commons Lab – Analysis
C: Level 1 H: Ask three, then me! A: Make sure that you work as a table to complete your data table and answer the discussion questions. M: None P: Looks like 100% of pencils moving, conversation on task, working together with accountable talk only with your table. S: Success!

9. Environmental Policy
How do we avoid the tragedy of the commons and work together to protect our environment?

10. What is environmental policy?
Policy is a set of general plans and principles for addressing problems and guiding decision making.
Environmental policy includes plans and principles that address the interaction between humans and the environment.
We have domestic policy (local, in our country) and international policy (global, other countries).

11. How is policy created in our country?
Legislation (laws/policy) is created by Congress (the legislative branch).
It is either approved or vetoed (rejected) by the president (executive branch).
The president’s veto may be overridden by a 2/3rds vote in Congress.
The Supreme Court (judicial branch) determines if legislation is constitutional.
This process is true for any policy including environmental policy.

12. Local, State, and National Policy
International
Country
State
County
City /Town
Community or Neighbor-hood
In the United States, important legislation can be created at the local and state level.
Cities, Counties, and States all have power to enact certain environmental policies within the larger framework of our nation’s policy.

13. The First Wave (1780s to Late 1800s)
Laws enacted during this period dealt with management of federal/public lands.
Coincided with westward expansion.
Policy reflected the perception that the land and resources available were limitless.
Perception at the time was to maximize the use of our resources and grow the nation.
Crowding in cities was reduced as people spread out; however, Native Americans were displaced from their land.

14. The First Wave (1780s to Late 1800s)
Important Laws/Events
Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance (1787): These ordinances gave the federal government the right to manage unsettled lands.
Homestead Act of 1862: Citizens could claim 160 acres of public land. After living on it for five years, they could own it for a fee of $16.
General Mining Law (1872): The act provided land for $5 per acre and allowed mining to occur with no government oversight.

15. The Second Wave (Late 1800s to Mid 1900s)
The west became more populated; however, resources were overused or exploited.
Perception began to shift to a conservation mindset. Policy reflected a new understanding that resources were finite and must be protected through government action.
Laws attempted to reduce problems associated with westward expansion.
Era was marked by the creation of the national forest system, national parks system, and the national wildlife refuge system.

16. The Second Wave (Late 1800s to Mid 1900s)
Important Laws/Events
National Park Service (1916): Congress created the National Park Service to manage the growing number of national parks and monuments.
Emergency Conservation Work Act (1933): President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed this act during the Great Depression. The act gave unemployed men jobs planting trees, fighting soil erosion, and improving wildlife habitats throughout the country.
Other Laws: Forest Reserve Act of 1964, Soil Conservation Laws (1930s), Wilderness Act of 1964

17. The Third Wave (Mid to Late 1900s)
America became a nation densely populated and driven by industry, technology, and intense resource consumption.
Americans were better off economically but living with dirtier air, water, and an abundance of waste/toxins.
Tension continued to rise and environmental catastrophes made local and national headlines leading to a call for action.

18. The Third Wave (Mid to Late 1900s)
Important Laws/Events
Silent Spring (1962): In this book, Rachel Carson, a writer and scientist, awakened the public to the negative ecological and health affects of industrial chemicals and pesticides such as DDT.
National Environmental Policy Act (1969): This act declared that the federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and the public, would act “to create and maintain conditions under which man and nation can exist in productive harmony.”
Earth Day (1970): The first Earth Day, founded by Senator Nelson of Wisconsin, consisted of about 20 million Americans demonstrated their desires for a heathier environment.

19. Modern U.S. Environmental Policy
National Environmental Policy Act
Created Council on Environmental Quality
Mandated that an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be conducted for any federal action that will significantly effect the environment.
Environmental Protection Agency
Created an agency due to the interrelatedness of environmental problems.
Conducts research, monitors water, soil, and air quality and enforces standards for pollution levels. Also educates the public on environmental issues.

20. Important Environmental Laws
Clean Air Act of 1963 (1970, 1990): Protects air quality by setting pollution caps, monitoring car and factory emissions, and funding atmospheric research.
Endangered Species Act: Provides protection to species threatened with extinction.
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974: Authorized the EPA to set quality standards for public tap water systems.
The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976: Directs the monitoring of thousands of industrial chemicals.

21. Important Environmental Laws
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976: Pertains to the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
The Soil and Water Conservation Act of 1977: Directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to survey and assess soil and water conditions.
CERCLA (Superfund Act): Provides funds to clean up hazardous wastes from polluted sites.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Acts of 1965 and AND the Clean Water Act of 1977: Provided regulation for waterway dumping and pollution. Helped U.S. waterways recover from degradation.

22. International Environmental Policy
Not only do we have to work within our country to protect the environment, we have to also work with other nations to protect the planet.
Agencies that shape international environmental policy include: The United Nations, World Bank, European Union, and the World Trade Organization.
Paris Climate Accord: A summit where countries met to discuss international environmental regulations. Good start – the problem is there is no enforcement.

23. Work Period – Case Studies
C: Level 1 H: Ask three, then me. A: Read each passage carefully, then answer the assigned questions in your journal. M: None P: Looks like 100% of pencils moving, conversation on task, working together with accountable talk only with your table. S: Success!