In this paper, Jouni Paavola investigates the potential of institutional diversity and polycentric governance to deal effectively with climate change. Starting with the recognition that top-down governance solutions are a “false panacea,” Paavola observes that although climate change is, indeed, a global commons problem, that does not necessarily mean global governance is the most effective or efficient way of dealing with it.

http://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/conference-papers/climate-change

This paper examines the rationale and potential of institutional diversity and polycentric governance in the area of climate change. The paper argues that polycentric governance of climate change is already a reality, and that voluntary, bottom-up solutions can be comparable in terms of significance and performance with major emitting states.

http://www.cccep.ac.uk/publication/climate-change-the-ultimate-tragedy-of-the-commons/

One reason it is so hard to slash carbon emissions is that climate change occurs globally. The countries that produce the most greenhouse gas all need to take action to fix the problem. That raises a classic economic dilemma called the tragedy of the commons.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120883813

It’s not like women’s rights or prison reform. There are too many people making money out of feeding our insatiable demand for more.

https://www.thenation.com/article/climate-change-tragedy-global-commons/

A perspective from The American Conservative magazine:

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/global-warming-tragedy-of-the-commons/