Concept of the Global Commons (AQA A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Rhiannon Molyneux
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The idea of a Global Commons
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
Rights & Benefits of a Global Common
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
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you can explain the idea of the global commons by outlining why they are under threat and why they need to be protected using specific examples
Protection of the Global Commons
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
Global Commons | Treaties and Agreements |
|---|---|
Antarctica | Antarctic Treaty – signed in 1959 by 12 countries whose scientists were active in and around Antarctica |
Atmosphere | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCC) and agreements such as the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement |
High Seas | United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS) – adopted in 1982 and agreed by over 160 countries In March 2023, a new High Seas Treaty was agreed which will help to achieve a goal to protect 30% of the sea by 2030 |
Outer Space | Outer Space Treaty – adopted in 1967 to ensure the peaceful exploration and use of space |
Worked Example
Explain the concept of a global commons
[4 marks]
Remember, this answer is a point marked with 1 mark for each valid point made with extra marks for developed points (d)
The command word is ‘explain’
The focus of the question is ‘global commons’
You will gain marks for explaining what the global commons are and why they need protection
For full marks, you must make sure that you explain why they need protection
You will gain a maximum of 1 mark if you just list the global commons and don’t add any further explanation
Answer:
The global commons refers to the Earth’s shared resources (1), such as the deep oceans and atmosphere (1d).
The global commons include those areas that have no national governance but are used jointly by all people (1). The only land mass considered to be part of the global commons is Antarctica (1).
Some people define the commons to be even broader to include resources that are shared by all but not controlled by any single country (1) for example, cyber-space, language and science (1) this is referred to as the ‘common heritage of humanity’ (1d).
Access to such shared resources has historically been difficult but advances in technology mean that such resources are in danger of being overexploited (1) for example the potential oil reserves in Antarctica (1).
The notion of the tragedy of the commons (1) as there is no single jurisdiction there is always the potential for overexploitation (1). If an individual country/group acts independently this will be contrary to the whole group and the shared resource becomes depleted (1d).
As current resources become depleted there will be an increasing need for the global commons to meet the needs of the world’s population (1).
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