Podcast 6 The World Summit on Sustainable Development

The following seven podcast episodes are adapted from the book "Only One Earth" by Felix Dodds, Maurice Strong (the father of sustainable development), and Michael Strause

In this episode, we look at the World Summit on Sustainable Development - the 2002 Johannesburg Summit which was meant to reinvigorate global commitment to sustainable development, and arrived at a turning point in world affairs.

With over 40,000 participants, including 104 heads of state, the summit echoed the ambitions of the 1992 Earth Summit but collided with a shifting global landscape in the aftermath of 9/11.

This episode traces the ambitions, negotiations, and ultimate disappointments of WSSD, from the promise of a “Global Deal” to the emergence of public-private partnerships, and the tensions between trade, governance, and sustainability.

We examine how institutional fragmentation, political polarization, and unmet financing commitments left the summit's bold agenda largely unfulfilled, setting the stage for Rio+20.

Episode 6: The World Summit on Sustainable Development

"At a time of mounting threats to the sustainability of the planet, and as we prepare for the 20-year review of the original Rio Conference, it is essential to understand the road that has brought us to this juncture, so that we can understand the momentous opportunities and tremendous challenges that we face in reaching for a sustainable future. Dodds, Stauss and Strong provide a compelling narrative of the road that brought us to this point and outline a potential path for moving forward." – Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency

"40 years ago Olof Palme reminded us that we must share and shape our future together – it is a shared responsibility containing difficult choices. A transition towards a green economy is one of those difficult choices. One that requires political leadership. It will not happen unless we make it happen. Let's put the world economies to work for a common, sustainable future – we can't afford otherwise. Dodds, Stauss and Strong provide... suggestions on how we might address these future challenges." – Ida Auken, Minister for the Environment of Denmark.

"Felix Dodds, Michael Strauss and Maurice Strong use their intimate experience of UN processes to detail the long and sometimes painful journey from the Stockholm summit of 1972 towards Rio +20 in 2012. The distillation of history would be useful to anyone new to the issues. But more important is the dissection of the various forces at play, including trade, competitive development, aid and environmental awareness. Those forces are still here, and will play a major role in shaping the path towards global sustainability - or not - well beyond Rio." – Richard Black, BBC Environment Correspondent

"It is a privilege to review the recent history of a remarkable initiative that changed attitudes and perceptions, and introduced a new approach for determining the future of Planet Earth. Written by outstanding players that contributed effectively to the success of this major effort, it covers in detail scientific, diplomatic and strategic aspects of a process that peacefully brought together all nations." – Henrique B. Cavalcanti, Federal Minister of Environment in Brazil. Former Chairman of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and Former Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Former Deputy Minister of Interior, and  Former President of Siderurgia Brasileira SA – Siderbrás, President of FUNATURA (an NGO), Delegate to Stockholm-1972, to Rio de Janeiro-1992, and Johannesburg-2002.

"This is a crucial book for any who want to see how much has been achieved and how much remains to be done in combating Climate Change. Incisive and realistic, it provides an essential background for all who want to understand the most important material issue of our time." – John Selwyn Gummer, Baron Deben, PC - Former Secretary of State for the Environment

"The first Rio Earth Conference set us on three tracks to sustainable development – social, environmental, economic. In this definitive book, Maurice Strong, one of the architects of that iconic conference, joins with Felix Dodds and Michael Strauss to review the convergence and collisions on the development journey since 1992 and to consider how Rio+20 can truly become a platform for achieving 'the future we want.' Their relevant and enduring message – we are all shareholders in Earth Incorporated and have a responsibility to take the most sustainable paths to prosperity, for people and planet." – H. Elizabeth Thompson L, Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Coordinator UN Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20 and former Minister for Energy and Environment of Barbados.

"Only One Earth is a most influencing call to significantly modify the path of economic and social behavior. It is impressive as it spans 40 years of environmental diplomacy at the highest level. It is unique in doing so as the authors were main actors and the first-row participants of at least the last 20 years of the period which is described in the book." - Luc Hens, Gaia (22, 55, 2013)

"Only One Earth is ... undoubtedly the best volume ever to trace the history of sustainable development within the UN." – Crosslands Bulletin

"... there are many worthwhile chapters that make this an important book and one that shuld be used by those that teach in these issues and read by those who are responisble for addressing the challenges of peace, security and development." –Michael Bradshaw