Global Commons Flashcards
What does the term global commons refer to?
Resource domains or areas that lie outside of the political reach of any one nation state.
Used to describe the supra-national ‘spaces’ in which common shared resources can be found
What are the 4 global commons?
The high seas
The atmosphere
Antarctica
Outer space
What do some commentators argue about cyberspace?
It should be a global common as it is shared by all but not controlled by a single nation
What is the ‘principle of the common heritage of mankind’?
The principle that establishes that some localities belong to all of humanity and that the resources there are available for everyone’s use and benefit
What does the ‘principle of the common heritage of mankind’ take into account?
Future generations and the needs of developing countries
Why has access to resources in the global commons become less difficult (not the high seas)?
Advances in science and technology have given easier access to a range of resources
A greater scarcity of resources, especially minerals, fuels and food which puts increasing pressure on the global commons to provide for a needy and developing world.
What is meant by the ‘tragedy of the commons’?
This concept explains why shared ‘common access areas’ 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 is an example of the ‘tragedy of the global commons’?
Overfishing has led to the depletion of fish stocks as well as marine pollution and the loss of sustainability
What is in place to protect the commons from over exploitation?
International law and clear rules of global governance
What is the high seas protected by?
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
What is the atmosphere protected by?
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and the Kyoto Protocol
How is Antarctica protected?
By the Antarctic Treaty System
How is outer space protected?
By the 1979 Moon Treaty
The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploitation and Use of Outer Space
What does the Moon Treaty do?
Governs the exploration and exploitation of its resources
