Geography 2153A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Garrett Hardin, Applied Mathematics, Unthinkable
28 Jun 2016
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One argument that holds the root of the problem is that carbon doesn"t stay put. With every combustion event (driving a car, burning a log) the carbon that is released quickly finds its way into the atmosphere. Carbon reductions are not free since they require creating new rules, potentially reducing or redirecting economic production. A carbon reduced product may be more difficult to produce than it"s status quo counterpart (whether a car, computer, or vegetable) If a product is more expensive as a result, it may not be competitive on a global market, especially if it must compete against products produced where carbon reductions have not been imposed. Many governments express fear that if they make sacrifices in this direction while others do not, they will no longer be competitive. An allegorical description of a game-theoretical situation in which multiple individuals making decisions in pursuit of their own interests tend to create collective outcomes that is non-optimal for everyone.
