Problems and Solutions for Global Commons - Term Paper Example

 Problems and Solutions for Global Commons The world is increasingly becoming aware of the imminent danger posed on the planet by the problem of the global commons. The earth’s forests, water bodies, and atmosphere have been imperiled by adverse human and natural activities, which threaten their survival and the survival of humanity in general (Verhoef 1999, 203). In Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States signs continue to grow over the adverse consequences of environmental degradation on human and animal lives. The consequences of green gas emissions, pollution in the high seas, and deforestation have continued to engage the concern of environmental scholars and environmental activities. Clearly, most of the problems of the global commons are reversible. Studies on the causes of these problems have shown that many of them occur as direct consequences of some of the activities of human beings (Pearce, 1999, 491). However, the distribution of these problems on the planet reveal a pattern that illustrates variations in the extent and causative agents and the differences in the degree of damage caused in the different areas across the globe. For instance, both past and recent studies concur on the fact that much of the destruction on the ozone layer has causative agents in the developed world. The same studies point out that most of the consequences on the destruction of the ozone layer are felt in the developing world such as Sub-Saharan Africa (Verhoef 1999, 233). Despite the numerous efforts that have been put in place to contain the problems on the global commons, there have been little consensus on the best possible ways that could be relied upon to arrest the growing perils that result from these problems. Reputed world bodies such as the World Bank, the United Nations and other multinational agencies have attempted to rally the world towards a common course of resolving the problems of global commons. Environmental pollution features prominently within the discourse of the problem of global commons. Pollution at the seas, air and land has attracted concern from both the environmental conservationists and the general public. Technological and industrial developments and strategies for environmental conservation are diametrically opposed. The problematic aspect of this challenge is that these two realities are inversely proportional and alternative ways that could balance their relationship are inversely proportional. Daniels and Van Hoose (2011) have argued that the balance between economic issues and policies on environmental conservation is necessary in order to arrive at a middle point of consensus. This argument is consistent with the opinions of some scholars who have opposed the exclusivist positions that are embraced by the competing perspectives between proponents of economic growth and activists of environmental conservation. Another problem of the global commons is the exploitation of raw materials, mining, and prospecting of natural resources by governments, individuals, companies, or businesses. The survival of industries around the world is based on the availability of raw materials. In the wake of rapid industrialization in both the developed and the developing world, the search for raw materials has caused extensive damage to vegetation and forests. The emergence of China as an important powerful economic force has increased the world’s need for raw materials and fuel. The Chinese have increasingly grown as some of the world’s largest consumer of oil and natural resources. In Africa the prospecting of oil, and the mining of titanium, diamonds, fluorspar has created significant pressure on the vegetation cover. Environmental activists have brought forth statistics that indicate an increasing destruction of African vegetation and forest cover as a result of the mining and prospecting initiatives. According to some studies, there are no sufficient environmental laws provisions that would be used to shield the global commons in parts of the world from the private interests of multinationals and well-connected corporations. The regulation of industrial processes that have a direct or indirect bearing on the environment has been supported as one of the ways by which governments could arrest the growing trends of environmental conservation. Generally, it might be argued that the challenge posed by the industries of the global commons is dependent on some of the structural mitigation efforts that governments and other bodies with authority put in place. Policy matters have often been brought up as some of the major factors that determine the nature and extent of damage on the global climate (Peacock & Ricketts, 2001, 98). The problem of global commons could be explained in terms of the weak policy frameworks, which fail to seal the avenues that are often exploited in the destruction of the global commons. Further, different countries may adopt competing policies with regard to the matters of global commons. Conflicts have arisen in situations where one country supports policies that promote the exploitation of resources such as water of forest cover for commercial purposes, while another country adopts policies that seek to conserve the same resource. When these differences replicate themselves across the globe, they create a situation of global conflict, which poses significant difficulties on the efforts to protect the global commons. According to Peacock and Ricketts (2001), it is difficult to gain consensus on matters of protecting the global commons due to the internal and external competitions that are determined by economic interests, political strategies, and a network of other factors that relate to the question of global conflict. For instance, one government may seek to protect a given forest cover for the purposes of shielding some rare species of trees from extinction. Another country may instead explore avenues of harvesting the same trees for the sake of making unique furniture that have a high value on the international market. A clash between business strategists and environmental strategists illustrates the problematic nature of protecting global commons. The world is full of disputed regions that have pitted one country against another or one group against another. In many cases, the conflicts often pit the pro-environmentalists against anti-environmentalists. In the usual cases, strong multinational forces that wield significant influence on the global agenda usually back either side of the conflict. The diffusion of these conflicts to higher levels usually magnifies the protagonist forces and antagonist forces in ways that impact negatively on the global commons. According to The Stern Review (2006), addressing the problems of global common requires a global collective action that will incorporate a multi-sectored approach. This approach should involve systems of taxations so that the markets and economic systems contribute to addressing the problems, which they have contributed significantly in creating. The introduction of taxes and special levies for environmental contribution would offer an opportunity to the industries and corporations to participate in the reclamation of the planet from the perils of environmental degradation. Population pressure and human activities have also been cited as problems of global commons. By nature natural resources are limited are can only support a certain capacity of humans and animals. On the other hand, population studies have shown a rapidly increasing global population with scenarios projecting as population explosions in many parts of the world. This despite the challenges brought about by HIV/ Aids pandemic and other kinds of human and natural calamities. The expected consequence is that the high human population will exert significant pressure on the global commons. Controlling population growth is a matter that must involve various strategies and approaches for meaningful results. However, such efforts must necessarily encounter the cultural, social, and political challenges that will affect the manner in which communities, individuals and societies respond. Human activities such as settlement, deforestation, air pollution, and sea transport are other problems that affect the global commons. Different countries have evolved various strategies including legal structures to contain the devastating effects of human activities on the global commons. The problematic aspect of human activities as causative agents of global commons is that many of them are not willful acts of destruction but rather ways of survival (Bradley, 2003). This would mean that resolving this matter must necessarily entail some consideration on the moral dimensions especially with regard to such matters as eviction of the landless people from the occupied forests. The resolving of the problems of global commons is complex and involves a consideration of various issues and perspectives that relate to nearly all aspects of human concerns. Ways of resolving the problems of global commons are multiple with varying strengths and weaknesses. Institutional strategies, policy issues, and legal frameworks are some of the most commonly cited ways by environmental experts. These three major ways are usually restrictive in the sense that they are largely reliant on the element of threat. Critics contend that legislative measures are generally prohibitive and are mostly aimed at instilling the fear of punishment on the agents and presumed agents of destruction. Some of the scholars who subscribe to this school of thought have instead proposed a methodology that comprises both the threats of punishment and incentives for non-violation. Such methods, they argue, would encourage the participation of individuals and groups in proactive approaches that provide solutions to problems of global commons. For instance, there has been a growing tendency by multinational corporations and companies to engage in environmental friendly policies. Some of these policies are reflected most prominently in their corporate social responsibility projects that seek to promote projects of environmental conservation. Another way of resolving the problems of global commons is by promoting certain international trading standards that seek to explore the synergies of globalization and liberalization. It has often been argued that globalization makes it easy for the world to engage in practices that promote the course of humanity. This cooperation has often been interpreted in terms of promoting the spirit of global citizenship. It derives from the realization that any particular occurrence in an isolated part of the world will eventually bear some impacts in another part of the world. Currently, the African continent is threatened with the problem of desertification as a result of the devastating impacts of global warming. This challenge will ultimately have significant impacts on the global economic growth since the developed countries will be obliged to contribute towards the sustenance of economic systems of the affected regions. Economic policies have significant impact on the problems of global commons. The development of these policies must be done in a manner that encourages the active involvement of stakeholders from across the board. Traditionally, economic policies were created in a manner that focused exclusively on the fiscal and monetary development of the regions. Presently, systems and methodologies have emerged to measure economic growth as a sum-total of the various factors that concern human life. In this sense, environmental conservation relates to some issues that tie into the element of development. It would be appropriate for governments to design their economic goals in ways that would impact positively on environmental conservation. The United Nations should also seek for ways of exploring environmental concerns in a way that would promote the involvement of more players. The impact of the World Environment Day has been significant in the sense that it encourages debate and practices that promote environmental conservation in the world (Pearce, 1999). Such practices harness the human potential in resolving the problems of global commons. Further, environmental lobbyists have argued in favor of the development of further frameworks and policies that would encourage various forces and institutions within the wider global society to embark on processes that seek to promote environmental friendly policies. Approaching the problem of global commons from a point of universal consensus within the framework of the United Nations is more likely to impact positively on the subject than singular and exclusive methods. The United Nations, The World Bank, and other donor institutions could also provide funding for processes that support the developments of sound frameworks of addressing the problems of global commons. Some of the arguments adduced on matters of environmental conservation revolve around the need to foster an understanding of environmental matters to young people around the globe. Studies have shown that the youth have not been fully incorporated into matters of environmental conversation. Governments all over the world should revamp their education systems so that environment studies are taught from the elementary levels. A formal way of introducing young people on environmental matters would raise their levels of awareness and consciousness. An enlightened youthful population would be a significant resource of addressing the problem of global commons. For instance, the youth could solicit the support of the governmental and non-governmental organizations in addressing the problem. They could also offer youthful energies to the pressure groups that have consistently clamored for policies and practices that promote environmental conservation. Conclusion The problem of global commons is caused by multiple factors. Many of these factors are man-made and require the effort of man to resolve them. The actions of individuals, groups, governments, and other institutions have had direct and indirect bearing on the problems of global commons. Some of the challenges faced with developing a sound framework for a solution to the problem of global commons relate to the difficulties in acquiring universal consensus from actions, lack of sufficient education on the matters of impact, and lack of structures and framework of determining the course of solutions. Collective and global partnerships mixed with strategic threats and incentives are some of the proposals that might contribute significantly in resolving the problem of global commons. Works Cited Bradley, R, L, 2003, Climate Alarmism Reconsidered, Hobart Paper No.146, Institute of Economic Affairs, London.  Daniels, J, P & Van Hoose, D, 2011, Global Economic Issues and Policies, Chapter 13.  Peacock, A, T & Ricketts, M, J, 2001 Regulation (2): Environmental Policy’ in Government, Industry and Privatisation, Module 4, Edinburgh Business School, Edinburgh.  Pearce, D, 1999, Economic analysis of global environmental issues: global warming, stratospheric ozone and biodiversity in van den Bergh, J, (ed.) Handbook of Environmental and Resource Economics, Edward Elgar, London. 0735646400 The Stern Review (2006) The Economics of Climate Change, Chapter 14, ‘Harnessing Markets for Mitigation – the role of taxation and trading’, pp.309-323; and Chapter 21, ‘Framework for Understanding International Collective Action for Climate Change’, pp.450-467; and Chapter 22, ‘Creating a Global Price for Carbon’, pp.468-490.  Verhoef, E, T, 1999 Externalities in van den Bergh, Jeroen (ed.) Handbook of Environmental and Resource Economics, Edward Elgar, Chapter 13, pp.197-214. Read More