Environmental Ethics: A Tragedy of the Commons Perspective

Garrett Hardin, American Ecologist & Professor of Biology, hypothesized in his landmark Science Magazine (1968) “Tragedy of the Commons” essay that, as our human population increases, there will be mounting pressures on resources at the local and global levels, leading to overexploitation & ruin. The following example of the logic of the commons was presented: Fourteenth century Britain was organized as a loosely aligned collection of villages, each with a common pasture for villagers to graze horses, cattle and sheep. Each household attempted to gain wealth by putting as many animals on the commons as it could afford. As the village grew in size and more and more animals were placed on the commons, overgrazing ruined the pasture. No stock could be supported on the commons thereafter. As a consequence of population growth, greed, and the logic of the commons, village after village collapsed.
Today, hazardous materials professionals are confronted by a plethora of competing dynamics: globalization vs. national interests; urban vs. rural perspectives; tribal interests vs. individualism; abundance vs. scarcity; left wing politics vs. right wing politics; real news vs. fake news (alternative facts) and demands to do more with less resources provided. Collectively reviewing our environmental ethics from a “Tragedy of the Commons” perspective will help us to reduce future uncertainty and facilitate sustainable, forward-thinking, decision-making based upon our professional Integrity.