Describe what is meant by "the tragedy of the commons." Explain through two examples how this concept applies to our current environmental problems, and how we might alleviate the problems caused by this type of social dilemma

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER: Answer will include that the tragedy of the commons is a social dilemma in which individuals, each acting in his or her immediate self-interest, overuse a scarce group resource. Examples will vary. One example is the lack of individual incentives to conserve gasoline, water, or electricity. Whenever personal comfort or convenience is involved, it is highly tempting to "let others worry about it." Yet in the long run everyone stands to lose. Pollution is another example. If one person pollutes a river or trashes the roadside, it has little noticeable effect. But as many people do the same, problems that affect everyone quickly mount. Throwing away one plastic bag may seem inconsequential, but across the world 500 billion plastic bags are used every year, and it takes hundreds of years for the environment to recycle them. Another example involves the use of pesticides that harm the water system. A farmer who applies pesticides to a crop to save it from insect damage gets benefits immediately. However, if other farmers follow suit, the local water system may be permanently damaged. In most cases of environmental pollution, there are immediate benefits for polluting and major, but delayed, long-term costs. Persuasion and education have been used with some success to get individuals and businesses to voluntarily reduce destructive activities. Effective appeals may be based on self-interest (cost savings), the collective good (protecting one's own children and future generations), or simply a personal desire to take better care of the planet. It really helps if conservation is seen as a group effort. There is evidence that in most social dilemmas, people are more likely to restrain themselves when they believe others will, too. In some cases it is possible to dismantle social dilemmas by rearranging rewards and costs. For example, many companies are tempted to pollute because it saves them money and increases profits. To reverse the situation, a pollution tax could be levied so that it would cost more, not less, for a business to pollute. Likewise, incentives can be offered for responsible behavior. An example is the rebates offered for installing insulation or buying energy-efficient appliances.