Humanities

Inflation Reduction Act Cost

Estimated to cost $4 trillion by 2050, while the UN suggests $5.5 trillion annually.

Intrinsic Value

The concept that nature has value in and of itself.

Instrumental Value

The idea that nature has value because it is important to humans.

Productive and Consumptive Value

The value of natural resources that are consumed or harvested for human needs.

Non-Consumptive Value

The value of functions or services provided by natural systems.

Common-Pool Resources

Valued resources that are non-excludable and rival in nature.

The Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individual users reap full benefits of resource use while costs are shared among all users.

Hardin’s Claims

Those who restrain their use of common-pool resources lose economically compared to those who do not.

Hardin’s Assumptions

Humans act as economically self-interested actors, seeking individual gain.

Privatization

A means of regulation where individuals own rights to a common-pool resource and decide its use.

Government Regulation

State ownership and laws governing the use of common-pool resources.

Social Norms

Collective rules created by users to govern the use of common-pool resources.

Biodiversity

The variety of life forms present in a given area, including taxonomic and genetic diversity.

Biological Species Concept

Defines a species as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Phylogenetic Species Concept

Defines a species based on unique evolutionary history.

Species Richness

The number of species present in a given area, regardless of identity.

Diversity Index

A measure combining species richness and evenness, such as the Shannon Diversity Index.

Extinctions

99.9% of taxa that ever lived are extinct, with five major mass extinctions recorded.

Causes of Modern Extinction

Includes habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, human population growth, climate change, and overexploitation.

Endangered Species Act

A significant piece of environmental legislation providing strong legal protections for endangered and threatened species.