A farmer applies pesticides to a crop to save it from insect damage. Although the farmer benefits immediately from using pesticides, other farmers follow suit and the local water system is eventually damaged permanently. This is an example of
A)a carbon-neutral lifestyle.
B)the cost-benefit ratio.
C)learned helplessness.
D)the tragedy of the commons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation where individuals acting independently and rationally according to each's self-interest behave contrary to the best interests of the whole group by depleting or spoiling a shared resource. In this case, the shared resource is the local water system, which is damaged due to the collective use of pesticides.

A Farmer Applies Pesticides to a Crop to Save It