Global Systems & Governance - The ‘global commons’ Flashcards
What is a global common?
The global commons are areas that aren’t owned by any one country or organisation, they belong to everybody and so should be available for everyone’s use and benefit.
What are the four global commons?
1) Antarctica
2) High Seas
3) Atmosphere
4) Outer Space
Why are the global commons under pressure?
- Countries and organisations may feel they can exploit the global commons without dealing with the consequences, as the cost of exploiting the global commons are shared by everybody, known as the ‘tradegy of the commons’
- Industrialisation and development are increasing the demand for resources
- New technology has made it easier to get to areas like the high seas, Antarctica or outer space that were relatively inaccessible before
Why is there a need to protect the global commons?
- Institutions around the world have begun to acknowledge that countries’ right to develop must be balanced by the need to protect the global commons
- NGOs like WWF have called for the global commons to be protected by making sure that any development and use of these areas is sustainable.
What is ‘The tradegy of the commons’?
This concept explains why shared ‘common access resources’ of any type are likely to be overexploited. If individuals act independently and according to their self-interest, this will be contrary to the interest of the whole group because the shared resource will become depleted.
What are some international laws or treaties that cover the global commons?
- High seas = UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
- The atmosphere = United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Antarctica = Antarctic Treaty
- Outer space = Outer Space Treaty (1967)
What is the Exclusive Economic Zone?
An area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles beyond a nation’s territorial sea, where the coastal state has specific rights over marine resources.
