Asked by David Minyety on May 10, 2024
Verified
Which statement best illustrates the tragedy of the commons?
A) Irrigated cropland can be ruined by salinization.
B) Some levels of pollution are life threatening.
C) Some activities harm the environment, but others do not.
D) A factory pollutes a river as much as the law allows.
Tragedy of the Commons
A situation in which individual users of a shared resource act independently according to their own self-interest and deplete or spoil that resource through their collective action.
Salinization
The process by which water-soluble salts accumulate in the soil, often as a result of improper irrigation practices, leading to soil degradation and reduced agricultural productivity.
Pollutes
Introduces contaminants into a natural environment, causing harm or discomfort to organisms and ecosystems.
- Explain the concept of the tragedy of the commons and its impact on the environment.
Verified Answer
OK
Olivia KennedyMay 11, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation where individuals acting in their own self-interests can deplete or ruin a shared resource, even if it is not in their long-term interest to do so. In this case, the factory's polluting behavior is legally allowed, but it is contributing to the degradation of the river and potentially harming the community downstream. Despite being a shared resource, the factory is prioritizing its own profitability over the well-being of the common resource.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the concept of the tragedy of the commons and its impact on the environment.