What is meant by the global commons? How are they exploited and polluted?
Global commons refer to those resources which are not owned by anyone but rather shared by a community. These include the Earth's atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor, and outer space, and they exist outside sovereign jurisdiction.
These commons are exploited and polluted through technology and industrial development. The management of these areas is thoroughly influenced by North-South inequalities. The benefits of exploitative activities are far from being equal for present or future generations. The discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica in the mid-1980s revealed the dangers inherent in tackling global environmental problems.
Explanation
The textbook defines global commons as resources not owned by anyone but shared by a community, specifically listing Earth's atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor, and outer space. These are outside sovereign jurisdiction. Regarding exploitation and pollution, the context highlights that technology and industrial development are crucial issues, North-South inequalities influence management, and the ozone hole discovery over Antarctica demonstrates the environmental dangers. The 2-mark answer format requires defining global commons in the first paragraph and explaining exploitation/pollution in the second paragraph.