Resource Collapse

Causes of Resource Collapse

Overharvesting is one of the frequently cited factors in a resource collapse. Even renewable resources like water, animals, and forests are subject to collapse through overharvesting and ecological changes. Fresh water can be in danger of resource collapse through overuse of underground aquifers and flowing water and because of climatic changes. We face the constant challenge of a collapse of oil supplies. Depletion of the easy-to-find oil reserves has led to more expensive exploration like deeper ocean drilling. Overhunting and loss of habitat led to a resource collapse in the passenger pigeon population, leading to the extinction of the species. Laws aimed at protecting the pigeon were passed too late and were often not enforced. This species needed large numbers living in close proximity to each other to continue breeding. The near extinction of the American bison is a well-known example of a resource collapse. This species, which existed in massive numbers, provided well for Native Americans. The move westward of settlers and hunters led to the slaughter of millions of these animals and the removal of reproducing herds from most of the United States. Only limited herds existed by the beginning of the 20th century.

One of the theories of resource collapse is the “tragedy of the commons.” Based on the grazing of cattle on common pastures, this theory deals with some of the social implications of natural resources that are held in common, like air, water, and public pastures. It is to the financial benefit of those who use these common resources to use them as much as possible. Even when a resource begins to decline and it would promote sustainability for individuals to reduce their consumption of it, users continue or even increase their usage. This is because there is competition for the resource, and if one user reduced consumption, others would just use what the one person had sacrificed.

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