Tragedy of the Commons Important points on paper

1. Tragedy of the CommonsImportant points on paper • Choose examples carefully • Create “thread” through your paper • Defining aspects • Examples illustrate and linked to defining aspects • Causes that make defining aspects more or less likely to arise • Solutions that correct a cause or defining aspect • “Garbage can” models: link your solutions to problems • Use headings • Use your readings and cite appropriately

2. Tragedy of the Commons:Defining aspects and solutions • Common/open access -- solution is privatize or limit access through user fees or laws that limit access to certain groups. • Lack of regulation of the activity on the commons -- solution is regulation of level of activity. • Existence of a finite resource with total demand exceeding carrying capacity of resource – solution: reduce demand for resource. • Private costs less than social costs -- solution is to increase the private costs (e.g. taxes or fines for overuse). • Everyone as perpetrator AND victim. Upstream/downstream problems -- some are perpetrators and others are victims – solution: convince those who think they aren’t victims that they are (education). • Actors are self-interested and do not count costs to others or env’t – solution “normative education” to worry about things beyond prices.

3. A Scientific Perspective

4. Scientific Perspective • Problem = we don’t know enough about the problem • Solution = get more information about it • “Information deficit” model: the cause of environmental degradation is a lack of information. • Information will allow us to identify problems and that will prompt a response • Technology will provide means to reduce pollution intensity & overcome population & affluence sources • Changes in values aren’t needed. • Does this ring true to you?

5. General points on science • Values involved • Science contributes to political process • Uncertainty plays important role • "Science in politics" as a participative process

6. Roles of Scientists • Trend spotters • Theory builders • Theory testers • Science communicators • Applied policy analysts

7. Scientific Assessments • Assessments • Aggregate “State of the Science” reports • Increasingly common on environmental issues • Scientific but representative process • Wield influence when • Salient (relevant) • Credible (expertise and trustworthiness) • Legitimate (viewed as fair)

8. When do states take action onan environmental problem? • Scientific knowledge • Salient issue • Costs and benefits • Incidence of costs and benefits • Political and institutional context

9. How SHOULD we prioritize action? • Discussion