General Description
The tragedy of the commons is a term that is used to refer to a situation where people with excess means of production use it to their advantage and are depleting it. The theory explains the tendency of people to make a decision that favors personal situations without minding the negative impact they may have on others. For example, the partakers of a cup of coffee may not see any harm they are causing to the environment. However, the long-term cultivation of the coffee plants, which is a naturally occurring resource, has led to the loss of habitat endangering other plant species. Another example is the overfishing happening in the oceans and seas across the globe. The overhunting of fish has the potential to push other aquatic species into extinction. The population of Bluefin tuna in the Pacific Ocean has reduced to three percent of its original population because of the overfishing.
Hardin’s Opinion
Hardin argues that the world’s resources are limited and people must assume to work and find a solution. However, he rejects the idea of colonizing other planets as an option for solving Earth’s problems. He added that Earth’s resources can support more people. Hardin states that there is a difference between achieving maximum and optimal population. Maximum means having as, many people as possible on Earth while optimal refers to a situation that maximizes the quality of life. The population problem has no technical solution in the form of science and technology. Hardin contends that the use of the above two methods will only worsen the situation. Therefore, he advocates for change in behavior and culture by people rather than looking for a technical solution. I think Hardin’s assertions are true, the problem of overpopulation and depletion of resources requires a social solution rather than a technical one.
Explanation of the Essay
Garret Hardin wrote the essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons” where he stated that overpopulation is depleting the available natural resources. Hardin argues that without putting proper measures in place, humans are doomed. The essay challenges the faith people have placed on science in developing technical solution to the overpopulation problems. However, the stalemates presented by the interplay between overpopulation and technology is what Hardin calls the “Tragedy of Commons.”