Unit 5 - Lesson 1 - Common Pool Resources
Unit 5 - Lesson 1 - Common Pool Resources
Unit 5 - Lesson 1 - Common Pool Resources
Unit 5 - Lesson 1
Learning Outcomes:
● Define all terms in orange bold for section 5.1. (AO1)
● Explain the meaning of common pool resources in terms of: (AO2)
○ Concepts of rivalry and excludability
○ The Tragedy of the Commons
● Explain the meaning of unsustainable production. (AO2)
Explain the meaning of common pool resources
● Common Pool Resources are resources that are not owned by anyone and
do not have a price associated with them.
● Available for anyone to use without restrictions.
● Air
● Lakes, rivers, fish in the open sea
● Fertility of soil that occurs naturally in nature
● Ozone layer
Explain the meaning of common pool resources
● Rivalrous
○ Consumption by one individual reduces the availability for others.
■ The consumption of fish from the sea prevents others from
consuming the same fish.
● Non-excludable
○ Resources can be used without or with minimal restriction and are
often overused, degraded or depleted.
○ No price can be charged or any other way of excluding individuals.
○ Anyone can use them without restriction.
■ The fishing for fish is with minimal restriction and many are being
overfished resulting in depleted stocks.
Explain the meaning of common pool resources
When cars, factories and homes burn fossil fuels that pollute the the atmosphere
and air they overuse a portion of these resources without paying for the resources.
Fishing industry overuses and exploits fishing stocks (Tuna) without paying for the
use of the resource it results in a negative impact on the marine ecosystem.
The destruction of rainforests in Indonesia for the production of palm oil results in
soil degradation and loss of biodiversity and wildlife.
There are many examples of the overuse of common pool resources resulting in
the depletion and degradation of our environment.
Explain the meaning of common pool resources in terms of
Tragedy of the Commons. (AO2)