[APES] Unit 5: Energy Resources and Consumption

Tragedy of the Commons

Theory that describes how individuals, acting in their own self-interest, can ultimately deplete shared resources, leading to the detriment of the entire community.

Example: overgrazing, overfishing, water & air pollution

Overfishing

The process of capturing fish from the ocean at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to population declines, ecosystem imbalances, and potential fishery industry collapse.

Air pollution

The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere due to human activities or natural processes, which can adversely affect health, ecosystems, and the climate.

Can lead to bronchitis, asthma, and incur healthcare costs.

Pesticide runoff

The movement of pesticides from agricultural fields into surrounding water bodies due to rainfall or irrigation, resulting in contamination of the aquatic ecosystem and potential harm to both wildlife and human health.

Solving the Tragedy of the Commons

1. Make public-owned resources private

2. Implement fees or taxes for use of public resources

3. Implement taxes, fines, or criminal charges for pollution or shared air, water, and soil resources.

Clean Air Act

Federal law that allows U.S. EPA to set national air quality limits, regulate pollution, and fight regional issues.

Clean Water Act

Federal law that makes it illegal to dump pollutants into navigable waters without a permit.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Federal law applying to public drinking systems for 25 or more people, enforcing health standards for tap water & underground injection practices.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Collect grazing fees from ranchers, evaluate land, and repair the effects of overgrazing.

Externalities

Negative costs associated with human actions that aren’t accoutned for in the price (unintended side effects)