Volumetric commensuration and its remainders

This commentary responds to Daniel Paiva's call for the right to atmosphere by advancing the framework of following air rights . I treat breathable air, buildable volume and emission allowances as claims held apart by three interrelated operations: differentiation, detachment and conversion. Comparing two instruments, I argue that the property/commons contradiction is produced by design and not just given in nature. Admissibility – whether claims are admitted for political consideration – is a prior condition of meaningful participation.