Botkin: Chapter #27: Dollars and Environmental Sense: Economics of Environmental Issues
Guided Viewing Worksheet
Name: _____________________________________________________________
1: What does it mean that a factor is tangible? Intangible?
when a facotor is tangible it is measurable, when a factor is intangible it can't be measured
2: What is “tragedy of the commons”?
When an individual's personal share of profit from exloitation of the resource is usually greater
3: What is a “commons”?
any resource owned publicly with public access for private uses
4: Explain how cow herding is an example of “tragedy of the commons”.
The benefit to an individual of selling a cow for personal profit is greater than that individual's share of the loss in the degradation of the commons.
5: What are some examples of the “commons”?
US forests, ocean fisheries, deep-ocean seabeds, Antarctica and the atmosphere.
6: How does low growth rate of a resource contribute to its over exploitation?
contributes to resource sustainability and maximum profit
7: What is an externality? Give an example.
an effect not normally accounted for n the cost-revenue analysis of producers example air and water pollution
8: What are public services of nature (ecosystem services)? How much are they worth?
The use of the ecosystem to the public estimated between $3trillion and $33 trillion per year
9: Why is it hard to value nature?
Because it is based on personal preference
10: How do we evaluate the acceptability of risk?
They are evaluated based on the benefit and value of the action
11: What is the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act?
establishes procedures to estimate the hazard to the environment and to human health
12: How do we achieve environmental policy?
by persuasion, direct control , market processes and government investments like research and education.
13: What are the 3 common methods of control of pollution?
setting maximum levels of pollution emission
Requiring specific procedures and processes that reduce pollution
Charging fees for pollutin emiss
Guided Viewing Worksheet
Name: _____________________________________________________________
1: What does it mean that a factor is tangible? Intangible?
when a facotor is tangible it is measurable, when a factor is intangible it can't be measured
2: What is “tragedy of the commons”?
When an individual's personal share of profit from exloitation of the resource is usually greater
3: What is a “commons”?
any resource owned publicly with public access for private uses
4: Explain how cow herding is an example of “tragedy of the commons”.
The benefit to an individual of selling a cow for personal profit is greater than that individual's share of the loss in the degradation of the commons.
5: What are some examples of the “commons”?
US forests, ocean fisheries, deep-ocean seabeds, Antarctica and the atmosphere.
6: How does low growth rate of a resource contribute to its over exploitation?
contributes to resource sustainability and maximum profit
7: What is an externality? Give an example.
an effect not normally accounted for n the cost-revenue analysis of producers example air and water pollution
8: What are public services of nature (ecosystem services)? How much are they worth?
The use of the ecosystem to the public estimated between $3trillion and $33 trillion per year
9: Why is it hard to value nature?
Because it is based on personal preference
10: How do we evaluate the acceptability of risk?
They are evaluated based on the benefit and value of the action
11: What is the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act?
establishes procedures to estimate the hazard to the environment and to human health
12: How do we achieve environmental policy?
by persuasion, direct control , market processes and government investments like research and education.
13: What are the 3 common methods of control of pollution?
setting maximum levels of pollution emission
Requiring specific procedures and processes that reduce pollution
Charging fees for pollutin emiss