Authors: Grace Yu; Sources: Britannica, Earth.org
The Tragedy of the Commons
INTRODUCTION
Many of nature’s resources may seem unlimited. However, using them faster than they can regenerate results in a scarcity of those once highly-available resources, referred to as the “commons.” Many of these natural resources include clean water, fish, and trees.
“The definition of the Tragedy of the Commons is an economic and environmental science problem where individuals have access to a shared resource and act in their own interest, at the expense of other individuals.” — Earth.org
ACTIVITY
Fishing Beads Game
Materials: Paper plate, 60 beads, small paper cups // Duration: 10 minutes
Place all 30 beads on the paper plate
Instruct participants that everyone has 5 seconds to “fish,” but they can only pick up one bead at a time to put in their cup
There will be multiple rounds, and the person with the most beads at the end is the winner
3 beads are required to stay “alive” after each round
After the 1st round, add 1 extra bead as “offspring” for every 2 beads that are still present in the plate
Carry out this process until reproduction is not possible anymore/no beads remain
Explain to participants that even though they were able to get a lot of fish at first, fishing in such high amounts is not sustainable and will lead to depletion of a resource.
