AP Environmental Science

Answer: C - Tragedy of the commons refers to the conflicts that can arise between individual interests and the common good, in regard to resource utilization.

Key Takeaway: The tragedy of the commons often refers to conflicts between individual interest and the common good. This is often used to describe things like the pollution caused by driving a car, in which individuals all over the world are interested in driving cars for ease of getting from point A to point B; yet every time one person gets in a car, it negatively affects the environment for everyone in the world. Always remember that it is the individual benefiting at the expense of the common good.