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5.1 The Tragedy of the Commons

Part of Land and Water Use in AP® Environmental Science. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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The tragedy of the commons suggests that individuals will use shared resources in their own self-interest rather than in keeping with the common good, thereby depleting the resources. The concept comes from a 1968 essay by Garrett Hardin and explains many environmental problems.

In this unit

17 lessons

  1. 5.1The Tragedy of the CommonsThis lesson
  2. 5.2ClearcuttingPreview lesson
  3. 5.3The Green RevolutionPreview lesson
  4. 5.4Impacts of Agricultural PracticesPreview lesson
  5. 5.5Irrigation MethodsPreview lesson
  6. 5.6Pest Control MethodsPreview lesson
  7. 5.7Meat Production MethodsPreview lesson
  8. 5.8Impacts of OverfishingPreview lesson
  9. 5.9Impacts of MiningPreview lesson
  10. 5.10Impacts of UrbanizationPreview lesson
  11. 5.11Ecological FootprintsPreview lesson
  12. 5.12Introduction to SustainabilityPreview lesson
  13. 5.13Methods to Reduce Urban RunoffPreview lesson
  14. 5.14Integrated Pest ManagementPreview lesson
  15. 5.15Sustainable AgriculturePreview lesson
  16. 5.16AquaculturePreview lesson
  17. 5.17Sustainable ForestryPreview lesson

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