Environmental Racism and the Tragedy of the Commons

This lesson is designed to engage students with critical thinking regarding the environment, sustainability, and environmental racism and justice. The lesson focuses on an in-depth comparison between the widely accepted Western idea of the Tragedy of the Commons, championed by Garrett Hardin, and the experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples. Students are expected to engage in critical thinking and conversation to understand not just the anthropocentric idea of the Tragedy of the Commons, but also the inherent racism and injustice to Indigenous peoples and their knowledge that comes with the idea.