The problem of the global commons is one of the most controversial issues which is discussed on the local governmental and international levels. The notion of the global commons includes such natural elements which do not belong to people, but form the global heritage (Sernau, 2012). They are the earth’s atmosphere, the biological diversity which also contains tropical forests, the oceans, and Antarctica (Nonini, 2007). The discussion of the global commons’ problems has a rather long history, and many ecologists, economists, and politicians argue on the fact of the existence of threats for the global commons (Shimko, 2012). Today it is possible to say that the global commons are in danger because of the threat of the development of such factors as the extreme global population growth, the resources’ shortage as a result of their overexploitation, and such environmental problems as the climate changes which can be caused by global warming. The further research suggests the thorough examination of these significant factors.
The problem of the global population growth is discussed during a long period of time. Nowadays the fact of the extreme population’s increase which can lead to overpopulation is supported by the statistical data according to which the number of the population is growing in 1.5 % every year (Bodden, 2010). The problem of the population growth is closely connected with the aspect of the carrying capacity of the environment. If the population is growing constantly, this tendency will lead to the shortage of the natural resources necessary for the population’s life and for preserving the biological diversity and balance (Shimko, 2012). Moreover, overpopulated industrial territories can be considered as the source for the extreme pollution of the environment.
Thus, the problem of overpopulation is associated with the question of the resources’ consumption which can be also discussed as the main threat for the global commons. Today it is possible to notice the overexploitation of the marine resources which can lead to the destruction of the natural balance (Costello et al., 2008; Grover, 2006). Furthermore, the situation can become critical in relation to the issue of the population growth. Thus, the fact of the lack of food, clear water and air can become the reality in some years in those territories where the natural balance of the global commons can be broken (Grover, 2006; Jasper, 2010).
All these issues influence the state of the global environment. Thus, global warming as the major environmental problem can be considered as a result of the industrialization and pollution of different kinds. The growth of the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is affected by the industrial pollution is one of the main threats for the global commons which can cause the changes in climate (Nordhaus, 2008). Moreover, the public can often observe the dangerous consequences of the oil pollution for the oceans and rivers (Fischer, 2003). The environment can also suffer from soil and water pollution which are affected by the wide usage of chemical fertilizers which can poison the natural resources and lead to breaking their balance (Stavins, 2008).
The growth of population, the resources’ overexploitation, and the pollution of the environment are closely connected with each other and can threaten the global commons. If people do not work out the international mechanisms which can regulate the situation, all these factors can lead to the global catastrophes.
References
Bodden, V. (2010). The threat of overpopulation (Earth issues). USA: Creative Educ.
Costello, C., Gaines, S. D., & Lynham, J. (2008). Can catch shares prevent fisheries collapse? Science, 321(5896), 1678–81.
Fischer, C., Parry, I. W. H., & Pizer, W. A. (2003). Instrument choice for environmental protection when technological innovation is endogenous. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 45(3), 523–45.
Grover, V. I. (2006). Water: Global common and global problems. USA: Science Publishers.
Jasper, S. (2010). Securing freedom in the global commons. USA: Stanford security Studies.
Nonini D. M. (2007). The global idea of “The Commons”. USA: Berghahn Books.
Nordhaus, W. D. (2008). A question of balance: Weighing the options on global warming policies. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Sernau, S. R. (2012). Global problems: The search for equity, peace, and sustainability. USA: Prentice Hall.
Shimko, K. L. (2012). International relations: Perspectives, controversies and readings. USA: Wadsworth Publishing.
Stavins, R. N. (2008). Addressing climate change with a comprehensive US cap-and-trade system. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 24(2), 298–321.