Tragedy of the Commons
Question 1: The tragedy of the commons
a) Using the example of a problem of the global commons outline the “tragedy of the commons” and explain its causes.
In order to aptly outline the “tragedy of the commons” using an example of a problem of the global commons, it is essential to first put in context what both terms mean and how they relate to each other.
The “tragedy of the commons” is a type of market failure under the banner of property rights that is described as ‘an economic problem in which every individual tries to reap the greatest benefit from a given resource. As the demand for the resource overwhelms the supply, every individual who consumes an additional unit directly harms others who can no longer enjoy the benefits’ (Investopedia, 2014, para. 1).
A global common is used to indicate the worlds shared resource domain or areas that are not confined to the political reach of any one nation state and are open for use by states, organisations and individuals worldwide. International law specifically identifies four global commons: space, the high seas (deep ocean), Northern and Southern polar regions, Antarctic in particular and the atmosphere (United Nations Environment Programme, 2003, para. 1). Another category fast becoming recognised as an electronic global commons is the likes of man-made cyberspace to which presents as many issues as other global commons (Yale Journal of International Affairs, 2013, para. 33).
One example of a problem associated with a global common is that of climate change. Climate change is referred to as the influences on climate caused from human practices and considered the ultimate “tragedy of the commons” (Paavola, 2011, p. 9).
There are many factors contributing to climate change but a large part is down to individuals and firms releasing pollution and enhanced greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The issue signifies an environmental externality, the overuse of a common property resource and a neglection
a) Using the example of a problem of the global commons outline the “tragedy of the commons” and explain its causes.
In order to aptly outline the “tragedy of the commons” using an example of a problem of the global commons, it is essential to first put in context what both terms mean and how they relate to each other.
The “tragedy of the commons” is a type of market failure under the banner of property rights that is described as ‘an economic problem in which every individual tries to reap the greatest benefit from a given resource. As the demand for the resource overwhelms the supply, every individual who consumes an additional unit directly harms others who can no longer enjoy the benefits’ (Investopedia, 2014, para. 1).
A global common is used to indicate the worlds shared resource domain or areas that are not confined to the political reach of any one nation state and are open for use by states, organisations and individuals worldwide. International law specifically identifies four global commons: space, the high seas (deep ocean), Northern and Southern polar regions, Antarctic in particular and the atmosphere (United Nations Environment Programme, 2003, para. 1). Another category fast becoming recognised as an electronic global commons is the likes of man-made cyberspace to which presents as many issues as other global commons (Yale Journal of International Affairs, 2013, para. 33).
One example of a problem associated with a global common is that of climate change. Climate change is referred to as the influences on climate caused from human practices and considered the ultimate “tragedy of the commons” (Paavola, 2011, p. 9).
There are many factors contributing to climate change but a large part is down to individuals and firms releasing pollution and enhanced greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The issue signifies an environmental externality, the overuse of a common property resource and a neglection
References: Annenberg Learner. (2014). Unit 9: Biodiversity Decline // Section 7: Habitat Loss: Causes and Consequences. Retrieved from http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=9&secNum=7 Australian Broadcasting Corporation Bennett, J. (2003). The economic value of biodiversity: a scoping paper. Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government. The Australian National University. Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/node/14397 Boon, E., & Hens, L Europa. (2014). Summaries of EU legislation: Tackling climate change. Retrieved from http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/tackling_climate_change/index_en.htm ECORYS Hadley, D. (2014). ECON221: Environment and Food: Economic Perspectives. [Topic notes]. Armidale, Australia: University of New England, School of Education. Hardin, G. (1968). The tragedy of the commons. Science 162:1241–1248. Harris, J., & Roach, B Investopedia. (2014). Definition of 'Tragedy Of The Commons '. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tragedy-of-the-commons.asp Janekarnkij, P Live Science. (2014). Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html Ostrom, E Paavola, J. (2011). Climate Change: The Ultimate 'Tragedy of the Commons’? Retrieved from http://www.cccep.ac.uk/Publications/Working-papers/Papers/50-59/WP53_climate-change-tragedy-commons.pdf The Monthly: Australian Politics, Society and Culture United Nations Environment Programme. (2003). Division of Environmental Law and Conventions: IEG of the Global Commons. Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/delc/GlobalCommons/tabid/54404/Default.aspx World Wildlife Fund World Wildlife Fund. (2014). What is biodiversity? Retrieved from http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/what_is_biodiversity/ Yale Journal of International Affairs