The following text discusses economics.
The "tragedy of the horizon" addresses a temporal dimension often overlooked in tragedy-of-the-commons discussions. Climate change damages accrue over decades but political and economic decision-making focuses on near-term cycles—quarterly earnings, election cycles, immediate crises. Future generations who will bear the heaviest costs have no vote in current decisions. This temporal mismatch helps explain why knowledge of climate risks hasn't produced adequate action: the costs of action are immediate and concentrated, while benefits are distant and diffuse. Addressing climate change requires institutions that can commit across generations.
What does the "tragedy of the horizon" identify as a barrier to climate action?
Lack of scientific knowledge about climate change
Mismatch between immediate decision-making cycles and long-term climate consequences
Future generations having too much political power
Climate benefits being too immediate
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. The text describes how "climate change damages accrue over decades but political and economic decision-making focuses on near-term cycles"—a "temporal mismatch."
- Evidence: Long-term damages vs. short-term decision cycles.
- Reasoning: Different time scales prevent adequate response.
- Conclusion: Temporal horizon mismatch is the barrier.
Choice A is incorrect because "knowledge of climate risks" exists but doesn't produce action. Choice C is incorrect because future generations "have no vote." Choice D is incorrect because benefits are "distant," not immediate.