1. Chapter 1 Section 2: The Environment and Society

2. Learning Targets
I can explain the importance of the “The Tragedy of the Commons”.
I can differentiate between developed and developing countries.

3. The Tragedy of the Commons
What is “The Tragedy of the Commons”?
What is the lesson learned in “The Tragedy of the Commons”?
What are modern commons?
Earth’s natural resources
Common resources people share
State Park
Public Beach
How do we prevent “The Tragedy of the Commons” from happening?
Planning
Organizing
Looking at evidence
Proposing solutions

4. Economics and the Environment
What economic forces influence how we use resources?
Supply and Demand
The greater the demand for a limited supply of something, the more that thing is worth
Costs and Benefits
Balance the cost of the action against the benefits one expects from it
Risk Assessment
Determines if there is a chance for an undesirable outcome

5. Developed vs. Developing Countries
Developed Countries
Higher average incomes
Slower population growth
Diverse industrial economies
Strong social support systems
United States, Canada, Japan, Western Europe, etc.
Developing Countries
Lower average incomes
Simple and agricultural based economies
Rapid population growth
China, Brazil, Iraq, South Africa, etc.

6. Population and Consumption
What 2 root causes can most environmental problems can be traced back to?
Human population growing too quickly for the local environment to support it
People are using up, wasting, or polluting many natural resources faster than they can be replaced or cleaned up

7. Population and Consumption
What happens when a population grows rapidly?
There may not be enough natural resources available for everyone in the area to live a healthy, productive life
Developed nations make up 20% of the world’s population, how much of the world’s resources do they use?
75% of the world’s resources
What is an Ecological Footprint?
It shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in one particular country

8. What is the goal of environmental science?
Achieving sustainability
The condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely
Requires everyone’s participation
Need to find solutions that allow people on all parts of our planet to live in a clean, healthy environment and have the resources they need for a good life

9. Learning Target Check Point
What does “The Tragedy of the Commons” teach us?
What is the difference between a developed and developing country?