Abstract
Tragedies of the Commons happen because of the small contributions of many, and hence they require organized and enforced collective action to prevent their occurrence. Examples are described, including the Great Stink of 1858 and (in particular) the Great Smog of 1953, both in London. The Great Smog remains one of the world’s biggest “industrial accidents”, by mortality. Two threatening Tragedies of the Commons of the twenty-first century are then discussed – population growth and global warming. Taken separately, each of these might be manageable without huge mortality, but the very real risk exists that the synergy of these two threats could lead to reduction in food production and mass migrations, with unpredictable consequences. Population growth and global warming, acting together, may yet be the greatest ever Tragedy of the Commons. The real worry is that concerted effort is needed now, yet many nations are still in denial.
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