Paavola (2011) wrote an article describing why climate change is the ultimate “Tragedy of the Commons (TOTC)”.

• The atmospheric carbon sink for GreenHouse Gases (GHGs) is a Common Pool Resource. Each individual is self-interested and gains by consuming natural resources. People have incentives to use sink service units before other users make them unavailable.
• This sink has a comparable capacity to absorb pollutants which is replenished by natural processes. Therefore, individuals see very little harm from their own use. Also, its large scale means that it is difficult to exclude people from using them.

Refer to the diagrams below to understand more about the concept of a “carbon sink” and how our extent of its use has led to climate change.

• Everyone acts on their own self-interest and uses this CPR rapidly, without the goal of conserving this GHG sink. Coupled with improved technology and growing population, this CPR is quickly depleted.