Climate change and antimicrobial resistance are two of humanity’s most imminent problems. Reducing the use of fossil fuels and antibiotics is essential for managing the threats, and theory-based policies are required to stimulate urgently needed behaviour change. This article analyses climate change and antimicrobial resistance within the context of game theory. Previous literature has identified these problems as Commons tragedies, where inherent incentive structures encourage selfish overuse of existing resources. While the game theoretical models provide a helpful conceptual basis, the present analysis suggests discrepancies between some of the theoretical assumptions and the practical realities of climate change and antimicrobial resistance. These include complex networks of decision makers, non-binary choice contexts complicated by temporal and spatial distance between choices and outcomes, and different ethical implications of resource overuse. Policy implications are discussed, highlighting the need of global agreements for coordinating local initiatives for both dilemmas. However, different target groups may be necessary to address the existence of gate keepers (e.g., medical prescribers) in antibiotic use. Additionally, while certain policies types (e.g., information policies) apply to both dilemmas, more nuanced ethical considerations mean that some economic policies (e.g., punitive policies) may be limited to managing climate change.

气候变化和抗菌素耐药性是人类迫在眉睫的两个问题。减少化石燃料和抗生素的使用对于控制威胁至关重要，并且需要基于理论的政策来刺激迫切需要的行为改变。本文在博弈论的背景下分析了气候变化和抗菌素耐药性。先前的文献已将这些问题确定为公地悲剧，其中固有的激励机制鼓励对现有资源进行自私的过度使用。虽然博弈论模型提供了有用的概念基础，但本分析表明一些理论假设与气候变化和抗菌素耐药性的实际情况之间存在差异。其中包括复杂的决策者网络，非二元选择的背景，由于选择和结果之间的时间和空间距离，以及资源过度使用的不同伦理含义而变得复杂。讨论了对政策的影响，强调了需要针对这两个难题协调地方举措的全球协议。但是，可能需要不同的目标群体来解决抗生素使用中门禁者（例如，医疗处方者）的存在。另外，尽管某些政策类型（例如，信息政策）适用于这两个难题，但更为细微的道德考虑意味着某些经济政策（例如，惩罚性政策）可能仅限于应对气候变化。强调需要针对这两个困境协调地方举措的全球协议。但是，可能需要不同的目标群体来解决抗生素使用中门禁者（例如，医疗处方者）的存在。另外，尽管某些政策类型（例如，信息政策）适用于这两个难题，但更为细微的道德考量意味着某些经济政策（例如，惩罚性政策）可能仅限于应对气候变化。强调需要针对这两个困境协调地方举措的全球协议。但是，可能需要不同的目标群体来解决抗生素使用中门禁者（例如，医疗处方者）的存在。另外，尽管某些政策类型（例如，信息政策）适用于这两个难题，但更为细微的道德考量意味着某些经济政策（例如，惩罚性政策）可能仅限于应对气候变化。