SCIE 1P50 Lecture Notes - Garrett Hardin, Capitalism, Rachel Carson
9 Oct 2011
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Ddt - to get rid of beetles at michigan state university, used on trees. Worms dying, fewer robins to no robins, dna damages to birds. 1954-1961, spraying program to get rid of japanese beetles. Dieldrin - 50% more toxic, any animal that got into contact died, far more toxic than ddt. 12 of most toxic agents later banned or strictly controlled. What is common to the greatest number of people gets the least amount of care . The tragedy of the commons emerges whenever the bene ts to an individual of (over-)exploiting a common resource exceed that individual"s share of the resulting damage costs. All farmers have access to enclosed commons . Population growth coupled to increased resource use leads to overgrazing, erosion, eventual destruction of the commons. Conclusion: freedom in a commons brings ruin to all . For many global problems it is impossible to control access. Each use is capable of subtracting from general welfare.
