Comments on: Tragedy of the Commons: does it have to be so tragic? http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/2009/12/tragedy-of-the-commons-does-it-have-to-be-so-tragic/ Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:22:14 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: john http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/2009/12/tragedy-of-the-commons-does-it-have-to-be-so-tragic/comment-page-1/#comment-3151 john Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:06:59 +0000 http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/?p=2903#comment-3151 I think you have hit it on the head. Only a small number of firms were negatively affected by the CFC ban and there seemed to be some clear alternatives on the horizon (HCFCs). Large firms were not going to disappear because of the Montreal Protocol. In this case of climate change, a lot of firms' cost structures could be affected and there will be clear winning industries and clear losing industries. If you are a potential "loser" and see that bankruptcy may be in your future because of climate change legislation, you have a strong incentive to delay and fight change. I think you have hit it on the head. Only a small number of firms were negatively affected by the CFC ban and there seemed to be some clear alternatives on the horizon (HCFCs). Large firms were not going to disappear because of the Montreal Protocol. In this case of climate change, a lot of firms’ cost structures could be affected and there will be clear winning industries and clear losing industries. If you are a potential “loser” and see that bankruptcy may be in your future because of climate change legislation, you have a strong incentive to delay and fight change.

]]> By: Megan http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/2009/12/tragedy-of-the-commons-does-it-have-to-be-so-tragic/comment-page-1/#comment-2957 Megan Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:09:03 +0000 http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/?p=2903#comment-2957 Good question.... Perhaps because CFCs were never the lifeblood of the economy as fossil fuels arguably are. Nevertheless, it is interestingly frustrating that we can arrive at a consensus on one thing which threatens the health of the planet yet remain in the "consideration phase" on another for years. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Good question….

Perhaps because CFCs were never the lifeblood of the economy as fossil fuels arguably are. Nevertheless, it is interestingly frustrating that we can arrive at a consensus on one thing which threatens the health of the planet yet remain in the “consideration phase” on another for years.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

]]> By: john http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/2009/12/tragedy-of-the-commons-does-it-have-to-be-so-tragic/comment-page-1/#comment-2869 john Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:39:28 +0000 http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/?p=2903#comment-2869 This is a very nice commentary. I like the way you incorporate both Ostrom's and Williamson's works on the topic. I often wonder why in some cases (e.g. chloroflourocarbons and ozone depletion) we are able to overcome the tragedy of the commons (the Montreal Protocol) and in other situations (global warming), agreement is hard to obtain (Copenhagen). I have some thoughts, but I would be interesting to hear others.... This is a very nice commentary. I like the way you incorporate both Ostrom’s and Williamson’s works on the topic. I often wonder why in some cases (e.g. chloroflourocarbons and ozone depletion) we are able to overcome the tragedy of the commons (the Montreal Protocol) and in other situations (global warming), agreement is hard to obtain (Copenhagen). I have some thoughts, but I would be interesting to hear others….

]]> By: dan http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/2009/12/tragedy-of-the-commons-does-it-have-to-be-so-tragic/comment-page-1/#comment-2853 dan Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:20:57 +0000 http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/?p=2903#comment-2853 megan - excellent - this is a key issue and should be well understood by all! megan – excellent – this is a key issue and should be well understood by all!

]]> By: Kirsten@Nexyoo http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/2009/12/tragedy-of-the-commons-does-it-have-to-be-so-tragic/comment-page-1/#comment-2852 Kirsten@Nexyoo Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:37:22 +0000 http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/?p=2903#comment-2852 Thanks for this positive spin on a huge challenge. I agree that we all need to take responsibility to do what we can now (including asking our government for change). Thanks for this positive spin on a huge challenge. I agree that we all need to take responsibility to do what we can now (including asking our government for change).

]]>