The Tragedy of the Commons

Per Essentials of Ecology, the definition of commons, or common property, is "where the rights to certain resources are held by large groups of individuals". A few examples of commons include places like camp sites, parks, beaches, rivers, and national forests.  Please note, as with anything, I am sure there are privately owned versions of the examples I have given. The areas I am speaking of  are considered common property because there is not a single person owning them, rather, a collective group using them. Many people may enjoy the areas' resources and beauty. 

For instance, I enjoy camping with my family. We tend to go out into the forest for our camping; here is a picture from our most recent trip into the White Mountains.

Camping can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of responsibility. I cannot count the number of times my family and I have personally picked up the garbage of the previous campers. In addition to coming up on a literally 'trashed' campsite, I have witnessed camp sites where the grass and foliage had been matted down, simply from too much camping happening in a single area, as well as debris of past fires where people where careless with their campfires. 

A major problem with the commons is there isn't an entity holding individuals accountable for their actions with the commons. If folks are being disrespectful, overusing the resources of the commons, or using the resources inappropriately, currently, there is not much of a consequence. There are state troopers and forest service employees, but their numbers are few in comparison to those using the commons.

We have established that humans are not feeling an immediate consequence to their actions with the commons; but the ecosystems of the commons certainly are. Essentials of Ecology defines sustainability as "ability of earth's various systems, including human cultural systems and economies, to survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely". There is grave fear of the commons' sustainability capabilities with the way we are currently treating the areas. Sustainability can only happen if we honor the boundaries of the ecosystems of the commons; by over fishing, over camping, and polluting the commons, we place great strain on the areas. 

While the picture can look fairly bleak when discussing the shortcomings of our current commons situation, there are a few things that can be done to correct/assist. One tactic to slow/cease the overuse of the lands and waters is to begin utilizing a permit system. This would require patrons to purchase a permit for use of the commons. This could also allow the government to close off the commons prior to overuse.  Another way to address the issues with the commons would be to make the land no longer 'common'.  By selling off the commons, private owners may tend to it. This would lead to less use of the areas, and more maintenance provided to the areas. I am more hopeful the first option (permitting) will continue to take root.

When looking at the big picture regarding the commons, I certainly appreciate the ability to enjoy the lands and waters; however, I feel it is a privilege, not a right. I would gladly pay for a permit to view these areas if it meant they could sustain their fragile ecosystems and remain intact for future generations. I go back to my worldview; Environmental Wisdom. "Worldview holding that humans are part of and totally dependent on nature and that nature exists for all species, not just for us". (Essentials of Ecology, p.25)