Pollution
In a reverse way, the tragedy of
the commons reappears in problems
of pollution. Here it is not a question
of taking something out of the
commons, but of putting something
in — sewage, or chemical,
radioac tive, and heat wastes into
water; noxious and dangerous
fumes into the air; and distracting
and unpleasant advertising signs
into the line of sight. The
calculations of utility are much the
same as before. The rational man
finds that his share of the cost of
the wastes he discharges into the
commons is less than the cost of
purifying his wastes before
releasing them. Since this is true for
everyone, we are locked into a
system of “fouling our own nest,”
so long as we behave only as
independent, rational, free-enterprisers.
PollutionIn a reverse way, the tragedy ofthe commons reappears in problemsof pollution. Here it is not a questionof taking something out of thecommons, but of putting somethingin — sewage, or chemical,radioac tive, and heat wastes intowater; noxious and dangerousfumes into the air; and distractingand unpleasant advertising signsinto the line of sight. Thecalculations of utility are much thesame as before. The rational manfinds that his share of the cost ofthe wastes he discharges into thecommons is less than the cost ofpurifying his wastes beforereleasing them. Since this is true foreveryone, we are locked into asystem of “fouling our own nest,”so long as we behave only asindependent, rational, free-enterprisers.
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