Skip to main content

What is the tragedy of the commons? - Nicholas Amendolare

3,108,869 Views

56,991 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Is it possible that overfishing, super germs, and global warming are all caused by the same thing? In 1968, a man named Garrett Hardin sat down to write an essay about overpopulation. Within it, he discovered a pattern of human behavior that explains some of history’s biggest problems. Nicholas Amendolare describes the tragedy of the commons.

What is the definition of the tragedy of the commons?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Nicholas Amendolare
  • Director Lisa LaBracio
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Composer Nicolas Martigne
  • Animator Lisa LaBracio
  • Background Artist Tara Sunil Thomas
  • Clean Up Animator Tara Sunil Thomas
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from How Things Work