Oceans, Air as Common property and Carbon Rating as CPRM tool.

Oceans and Air are common property resources shared across nations. My first taste to the common property resource problem was during my visit to Kutch in Gujarat,India. Sea has been the only source of livelihood for the 10,000 fishermen across Kutch coastline. But the onslaught of industrialization has put immense pressure on this resource. Water is being rapidly extracted on the name of development. It is claimed that this development will benefit the masses. The question that arises is how can we possibly restrict the use of this resource - which is open, with unlimited access. Who should be the users of this resource - fishermen, government or corporate groups. Or maybe on what basis can we restrict /divide its use? A similar situation arises with industries that pollute air in the name of development and growth. On the international arena, carbon credit ratings seem to be one way of common property resource management. But there is still miles to go to implement it in true spirit. We also need to think how do we better manage oceans nationally and internationally.