GSAGG: The 'Global Commons'

Question 1

Name the 4 global commons:

Answer 1

• International waters
• The atmosphere
• Outer space
• Antarctica

Question 2

What is ‘the tragedy of the commons’?

Answer 2

• As the commons do not belong to one country they are vulnerable to exploitation- especially with these environments being rich in resources.
• Countries and companies that exploit the global commons may face fewer consequences, as they are ‘owned’ by every country.
• Therefore, unless an international law is created there are no rules about using the commons.

Question 3

How do global insitutions protect the global commons?

Answer 3

• Global Institutions have been created to directly manage issues associated with the global commons so that these issues can be solved in a fair and sustainable way.
• For example, between 1973 to 1982 the United Nations developed The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a treaty designed to tackle marine pollution, overfishing and competing territorial claims between states.

Question 4

How do international laws protect the global commons?

Answer 4

• International laws are now effective within the global commons, although these laws are usually set by institutions like the UN. This means any non-member countries will not be prosecuted under these laws.
• There are several treaties in action to protect outer space, including the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space
  (Registration Convention), which ensures countries protect outer space by documenting their launchings etc.

Question 5

How do NGOs protect the global commons?

Answer 5

• NGOs campaign to protect the commons, by spreading awareness as well as raising money for their protection.

Question 6

Why is it difficult to protect the commons?

Answer 6

• Policies are hard to regulate due to the commons’ size and isolated nature.
• It is impossible to monitor the entirety of the commons, meaning they are still left vulnerable to exploitation.
• In oceans, for example, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing still takes place frequently.
  . Monitoring boats cannot patrol the whole of international waters or protected areas constantly, so many illegal practices take place.
• For example, there are numerous reports of ships displaying false flags as an attempt to pose as another country to avoid laws and commit crimes

Question 7

How does global governance protect international waters?

Answer 7

• The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the legal framework for the use of marine resources and protection of the marine environment.