Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ization of personal utility" means that each person's self-serving actions decreases the "utility" of the group in
the long run.
Examples of these tragedies of the commons include the overharvesting of our fisheries in international waters,
pollution of the air, and excessive use of underground water supplies. A well-known case study demonstrating
a tragedy of the commons is the demise of Easter Island and its inhabitants. The native Polynesians overused
the trees of the island, ultimately leaving their land devoid of timber, which had far-reaching impacts on their
society and survival. (For additional discussion, see Appendix B.) Another common example is the overgraz-
ing of cattle on public, unmonitored lands. Although it is in any one rancher's individual interest to exploit
these lands to their fullest, with every rancher making this decision, the benefit of the shared resource is re-
moved for all, as ultimately this practice does not allow for the regrowth of the grasses, leaving the land barren
and ungrazable.
Global Economics Laws and Treaties
Making and enforcing international environmental laws and treaties can be difficult since many environmental
issues cross national boundaries. There are over 1,000 treaties that pertain to the environment. Following are a
few examples:
• The
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
aims to gradually reduce air pollution,
including trans-boundary pollution that travels over great distances.
• The
Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
was established to pro-
tect marine life and ecosystems in and close to Antarctica. It is part of the Antarctic Treaty System.
• The
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
Their Disposal
controls the transport of hazardous waste between nations, especially the transfer of
waste from developed to less-developed countries. It also focuses on exemplary management practices
and the reduction of toxicity of waste.
Practice
1.
Which of the following is NOT a result of the Green Revolution?
A.
Increased food production
B.
High-yield crop varieties due to selective breeding
C.
Decreased use of monoculture
D.
More land being converted for use in agriculture
E.
Use of pesticides and fertilizers
2.
Deforestation, overgrazing, and the overworking of soil for crop production can lead to which of the fol-
lowing?
A.
Salinization
B.
Monoculture
C.
Desertification
D.
Increased crop rotation
E.
Depletion of aquifers
3.
Which of the following is an example of a project that would be supported by the World Bank?
