APES 5.1 & 5.3-5.4

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where shared resources are overused and depleted because individuals act in their own self-interest.

Examples of Tragedy of the Commons

Overgrazing, overfishing, water and air pollution, overuse of groundwater, pesticide runoff.

Externalities

The overall effects of the tragedy of the commons, which occur when the actions of individuals have unintended consequences on others.

Solutions to the Tragedy of the Commons

Private land ownership, fees/taxes for resource use, and fines/criminal charges for pollution.

The Green Revolution

A shift in agriculture towards large-scale agribusiness that emphasizes mechanization, GMOs, irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Pros of the Green Revolution

Increases efficiency of land, short-term profitability, decreased world hunger, and increased Earth's carrying capacity.

Cons of the Green Revolution

Soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and ground/surface water contamination.

Mechanization

Increased use of machinery like tractors and combines for agricultural practices.

High-Yield Variety crops

Crops that are hybrid or genetically modified to produce higher yields per unit of area.

GMOs

Genetically modified organisms with new genes spliced into their genome for benefits like drought tolerance and pest resistance.

Synthetic Fertilizers

Man-made fertilizers that shifted the agricultural practice from organic options like manure and compost.

Con of Synthetic Fertilizers

Production requires fossil fuels, contributing to pollution and resource depletion.

Irrigation

A method that makes agriculture possible in dry regions, but can deplete groundwater sources and lead to soil salinization.

Slash and Burn

A method of clearing land for agriculture by cutting vegetation and burning it to return nutrients to the soil.

Cons of Tilling

Increases soil erosion, leads to loss of organic matter, and raises particulate matter in the air.