What do toilet paper, COVID-19, and ecology have in common?
Do you remember during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone rushed to buy toilet paper and hand sanitizer? This is a human behavior pattern related to common resources and acting in one’s own self interest.
Bite-Sized Science
As members of a society, we all share common resources. These could be public areas, such as the break room at work or public resources, such as the number of fish in a fishery or toilet paper supply at the grocery store. If everyone takes only what they need, there will be enough for everyone. However, when people begin to take more than what’s needed thinking they need to do so to protect themselves or their families, there is not enough for everyone. This phenomenon is called the tragedy of the commons and it is applicable to both economics, ecology, and other sciences.
A Closer Look
Although the tragedy of the commons is applicable to non-science examples, such as the over buying of toilet paper, we also see this playing out in terms of our shared natural resources. For example, fisheries, or prime areas of oceans or lakes for catching fish are a common resource. As long as people catch only the fish they need, there is enough for everyone. If people take more than what they need, then there are not enough fish left to reproduce. Therefore, the fishery is said to collapse. If the fishery collapses, there is not enough for anyone anymore. When people act in their own self-interest instead of sharing natural resources and being good stewards of them, it can have a negative consequence for all.
Suggestions for Teaching
Have students come up with their own example of Hardin’s Tragedy of the commons at play
Have students brainstorm ways to encourage people to take what they need from a public resource to help preserve it for all.
Additional resource: TED-ED Lesson