Managing the Atmosphere as a Global Commons

Abstract

"The atmosphere, which is a layer of gases surrounding the earth which makes life possible on the planet, is an example of global commons that has been subjected to overuse as a sink for a wide variety of pollutants. The paper: (1) considers the ways in which the atmosphere fulfills the definitional characteristics of commons and draws comparisons with other commons; (2) identifies the major types of problems that arise in the use of atmospheric pollutants, such as transport/deposition and atmospheric change; (3) reviews the types of international regimes that have been established to manage use of the atmosphere; and (4) explores questions of effectiveness and equity in international rules. Reference will be made to four major types of atmospheric pollution problems: (a) radioactive fallout from nuclear testing, (b) transboundary air pollution, in particular acid deposition, (c) depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, and (d) climate change due to buildup of greenhouse gases. The proposed paper will be drawn from the conceptual and theoretical chapter of a book I am writing entitled 'The Changing Atmosphere: The Quest for Global Environmental Security.'"