2. Understanding Populations
The Environment and Society

3. The Environment and Society
Objectives
Describe “The Tragedy of the Commons”
Explain the law of supply and demand
List three differences between developed and developing countries
Explain what sustainability is, and describe why it is a goal of environmental science

4. The Tragedy of the Commons
Garrett Hardin- Conflict between the short-term interests of the individual and the long-term welfare of the society
Example: The Commons- the area that belonged to the whole village
Can be applied to today’s problem with natural resources

5. The Tragedy of the Commons
Individuals put as many animals in the commons as possible
Too many destroyed the grass
Everyone suffered
Replaced by closed fields owned by individuals
Owners more careful
Someone or group must take responsibility

7. Supply and Demand
Law of economics that states as the demand for a good or service increases, the value also increases
Example: world oil production

10. Costs and Benefits
Cost-benefit analysis: Balance the cost of action against the benefits expected
Environmental regulations paid for by taxpayer/consumer
Risk Assessment
Cost- Risk of undesirable outcome
Create cost effective ways to protect environment

11. Developed and Developing Countries
Unequal distribution of wealth and resources around the world
Developed countries:
Higher incomes
Slower population growth
Diverse industry
Strong social support
Use 75% of world’s resources
20% of world population
More waste and pollution per person

12. Developing Countries Severely overpopulated regions
Lower average incomes
Simple agricultural-based communities
Rapid population growth
Using resources and polluting faster than can be replaced or cleaned up
Severely overpopulated regions
Forests stripped bare
Topsoil exhausted
Animals driven to extinction
Malnutrition
Starvation
Disease

14. Ecological Footprints
Calculations that show the productive area of earth needed to support one person in a country
Estimates land used for crops, grazing, forest products and housing
Includes ocean area for seafood
Includes forest area to absorb pollution

16. A Sustainable World
Sustainability- The condition in which human needs are met which allows the human population to survive indefinitely
Key goal of environmental science
Current world not sustainable
Developed countries using resources faster than can be replaced