Final answer:
Global commons such as the high seas, atmosphere, and Antarctica are critical resources shared internationally. Their use is often unsustainable, leading to over-exploitation, known as 'tragedy of the commons'. Efforts to protect these resources include international agreements and governmental intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Global commons refer to resources that are not owned by any one nation and can be used freely by the international community. These include the high seas, the atmosphere, Antarctica, and outer space. Currently, the management and use of these global commons are often unsustainable and lead to what is known as the tragedy of the commons, where individual interests and exploitation can deplete these finite resources.
The oceans are being overfished, leading to depletion of fish populations. The atmosphere is treated as a dumping ground for greenhouse gases, exacerbating global climate change. Antarctica is subject to interests that could threaten its pristine environment. While there are international agreements in place aimed at governing the use of these commons, such as the Paris Agreement for climate change, often these resources are still not used wisely due to the challenges in enforcing the agreements and the continued prioritization of national interests and economic gains over environmental stewardship.
Efforts to resolve these issues involve governmental intervention either through regulation to protect the commons or by privatization, assigning a monetary value to these resources to control their use. For instance, fishing limits and permits help to manage and conserve fish populations.