Cartoon Guide to the Environment
Easter Island Collapse
The collapse of the Polynesian civilization on Easter Island is one of the most compelling examples of the tragedy of the commons. The wood provided by the island's forests provided building material and enabled them to transport the giant stone moai. However, they overexploited this resource, leading to the deforestation of the island and collapse of their society. Students will read the first chapter of Larry Gonick's Cartoon Guide to the Environment and identify the environmental impacts of deforestation and think about what kinds of regulations may have prevented the disaster.
You may be able to find a .PDF of the book or chapter online.
Essential concepts: Environmental ethics, anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, worldviews, tragedy of the commons, deforestation, overexploitation.
