Key Terms: The Global Commons (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Concept of the Global Commons - key terms

Atmosphere – A global common consisting of the Earth's gaseous layer, vital for life and climate regulation; threatened by air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and ozone depletion.

Common heritage of humanity – A principle stating that certain global resources should be preserved and managed cooperatively for the benefit of all, both present and future generations.

Cooperative management – The approach required to protect global commons, involving joint international efforts rather than national control.

Deep oceans – Part of the high seas, considered global commons as they lie beyond any national jurisdiction and are essential for biodiversity and climate regulation.

Exclusive rights – Global commons cannot be claimed or owned exclusively by any one country, and must be shared equitably.

Global commons – Areas and resources not owned by any single nation and shared by all, including Antarctica, the high seas, outer space, and the atmosphere.

High seas – Ocean areas beyond national boundaries; vital for biodiversity, fishing, and transport but threatened by overfishing, climate change, and pollution.

Militarisation – One of the key threats to global commons like outer space, where increased military activity can destabilise peaceful cooperation.

Outer space – A global common beyond Earth’s atmosphere, governed by treaties to prevent its militarisation and ensure peaceful exploration.

Overexploitation – The unsustainable use of shared global resources, often driven by national self-interest, which can lead to depletion or environmental collapse.

Paris Agreement – An international treaty under the UNFCCC aiming to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and protect the climate (a function of the atmosphere as a global common).

Sustainability – A core principle guiding the management of the global commons, aiming to balance current use with long-term preservation.

The tragedy of the commons – A theory by Garrett Hardin (1968) explaining how individuals acting in self-interest can deplete a shared resource, harming the whole group.

UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) – A treaty that defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in managing marine resources and protecting the high seas.

UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) – A global agreement that addresses the protection of the atmosphere through collective climate action.

Unsustainable production – The overuse of shared resources (e.g. fish stocks) for short-term gain, often leading to environmental degradation.