1. Section 2: The Environment & Society
Standards: SEV4d, SEV4f, SEV5c, SEV5f

2.  Essay written by
Garrett Hardin in
1968
 Main idea: Problem
with solving env.
problems is the
conflict btwn short
term goals of an
individual vs. the
long term welfare
of society.

3.  Imagine a “common” area
of land for grazing sheep.
 It is in the best interest of
one INDIVIDUAL farmer to
put as many sheep as he
can on the common
grazing land. That way
he can make more
money.
 HOWEVER, when ALL
farmers think this way,
too many sheep graze in
that area and the area
becomes depleted from
overgrazing, trampling,
etc..

4.  Someone has to take
responsibility for
maintaining a
resource or it can be
overused & depleted.
 We now have grazing
regulations and
hunting & fishing
laws to prevent
resource depletion.
 What are some other
“common” areas?

5.  Supply & Demand
◦ If resource is limited
and has greater
demand then the
higher its cost.

6.  Costs-Benefit
Analysis
◦ Weighing the cost of
buying/producing a
product vs. the benefit
to the environment
◦ EX: Is fracturing the
Earth to get remnant oil
more beneficial even
though there is a cost
to the environment and
drinking water sources?

7.  Risk Assessment
◦ Usually done along
with cost-benefit
analysis
◦ Must determine risk to
know if there is a
benefit to an
environmental action.
◦ Risk assessment
depends on who is
doing it.
 If done by an industry-
may see less risk
 If done by a citizen
group- may see more
risk

8.  Developed countries
◦ higher average incomes
Top World Oil Consumers in 2009
◦ slower population growth
◦ diverse industrial economies
◦ stronger social support
systems
◦ EX: US, Western Europe, Japan
 Responsible for the
“consumption crisis”- use &
waste too many natural
resources
 Use 75% of world’s natural
resources BUT only makes
up 20% of world’s
population.

9.  Developing countries
◦ lower average incomes
◦ simple & agricultural-
based economies
◦ rapid population growth
◦ EX: Mexico, Indonesia,
countries in Africa
 Responsible for
“population crisis”-
Population grows too
fast for current
resource level- causes
malnutrition, disease,
fewer jobs

10.  China is most
populated country- 1.3
billion people
 China is on the verge
of becoming developed
thanks to outsourcing
and globalization.
 Population crisis +
consumption crisis =
INCREASED RESOURCE
DEPLETION AND
POLLUTION
 India (population 1.2
billion ) not far behind!

11.  Shows the
productive area of
the earth needed to
support one person
in a particular
country.
 Here’s Mrs.
Davis’ data…

12.  Sustainability-
condition in which
human needs are
met in such a way
that a human
population can
survive indefinitely.
 Requires
participation of
citizens, industries,
& governments