Concept of the Global Commons (AQA A Level Geography)

• Global commons are parts of the Earth that are not owned or managed by any single country
• They are shared resources that belong to everyone, and as such, they require a cooperative approach to management
• The principle of the common heritage of mankind is applied to the global commons
• The idea is that resources are essential for the survival and well-being of all people
• They are too important to be owned by one nation and instead should be managed in an equitable and sustainable way for the benefit of everyone
• There are four global commons identified by international law:
• Outer space
• The atmosphere
• The high seas (oceans)
• Antarctica

Overview of global commons and key threats

• The global commons are essential for human well-being and therefore a priority for conservation
• Benefits include climate regulation, economic value e.g. through tourism and fishing, and cultural and spiritual significance
• No single country has an exclusive right to these resources, instead, they need to be managed through a cooperative approach to benefit everyone, now and in the future
• If individuals or countries act in their own self-interest without considering the needs of others, this could lead to the damage or depletion of a shared resource
• This is known as the tragedy of the commons 
• The tragedy of the commons (as explained by Garret Hardin in 1968) occurs when common pool resources are used in production in an unsustainable way:
• In the fishing industry, the more fish each country catches, the greater their profit
• This will lead to overfishing as other countries feel the need to increase their catch to keep up
• Potentially causing the industry to collapse and reducing resources for future generations

• Effective global management is vital to ensure that the global commons are used sustainably and equitably
• Risks to the global commons are currently increasing due to population growth, increasing demand for resources and climate change
• A number of global institutions, treaties and agreements are in place to govern the global commons
• The United Nations (UN) plays a key role in coordinating global management strategies and facilitating international cooperation

Examples of Treaties and Agreements to Govern the Global Commons