Felix Dodds comments on sustainable development, coffee & life

In this episode, we trace the origins of democracy from ancient Athens to the present day, exploring how different models—from the Roman Republic to the Putney Debates—have shaped governance and representation.  Drawing from Chapter 2 of Stakeholder Democracy: Represented Democracy in a Time of Fear by Felix Dodds, we examine the expansion of democratic participation, the challenges posed by misinformation and right-wing populism, and the emergence of stakeholder democracy.  We also highlight contemporary experiments in participatory democracy, including citizen panels and proposals for a global parliament, and consider the diverse forms of modern democratic governments. In the context of sustainable development, this book describes how we are moving from representative to participatory democracy and how we are now in a "stakeholder democracy," which is working to strengthen represented democracy in a time of fear. Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the idea of stakeholder dem...

Originally published on Inter Press Service here. With so much bad news about climate change lately, is it too late for the world to tackle the problem? Professor Felix Dodds and Chris Spence review the current state-of-play.   SAN FRANCISCO, California / APEX, North Carolina, February 1 2025 (IPS) - When it comes to climate change, the awful news has been coming thick and fast. We now know that in 2024, the Earth’s average temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Extreme weather seems to be multiplying, with shocking fires in Los Angeles and storms striking Europe and America’s east coast since the start of the year. Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his country will turn its back on the ambitious Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. Meanwhile, the United Nations’ latest annual summit—COP29 in Azerbaijan—ended in November with complaints it had done too little to change the narrative. Some even questioned whether the UN’s ...

After the completion of podcasts on the book Heroes of Environmental Diplomacy: Profiles in Courage - which is still available on the Sustainable Society Cafe Participatory Planet podcast channel here ,- we are moving on to podcasts on Stakeholder Democracy: Represented Democracy in a Time of Fear.   In the context of sustainable development, this book describes how we are moving from representative to participatory democracy and how we are now in a "stakeholder democracy," which is working to strengthen represented democracy in a time of fear. Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the idea of stakeholder democracy has grown, with stakeholders engaged in helping governments and intergovernmental bodies make better decisions and in helping them to deliver those decisions in partnerships amongst various stakeholders, with and without government. Seen through a multi-stakeholder, sector and level lens, this book describes the history of the development of stakeholder democracy, par...

T his podcast, created by Felix Dodds and Chris Spence, the editors of the book  Heroes of Environmental Diplomacy: Profiles in Courage,  focuses on the contributions of key people involved in international negotiations.   In the realm of environmental diplomacy, few figures have been as influential as Maurice Strong , a Canadian businessman and diplomat. In this episode, we delve into Strong's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in rural Canada to becoming a key architect of the international environmental movement. We explore his significant contributions to landmark events such as the 1972 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment and the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where he helped shape Agenda 21. Additionally, we highlight his role in establishing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and his advocacy for inclusive stakeholder engagement in environmental policymaking. Join us as we celebrate Strong's legacy as a champion for sustainable ...

    Guest blog from the European Environmal Bureau (ENB) In the EU, environmental NGOs face an unprecedented attack  – and alarm bells are ringing. Disinformation about NGO funding, coupled with attempts to fabricate a false scandal, has forced us to bust a few myths... This is the newsletter that we would never have wanted to write. But at a time when the most basic democratic values are being so openly eroded, this campaign to shrink civic space is far more sinister than it appears.  👀   WHAT'S GOING ON?  Emboldened by a globally surging authoritarian agenda , some EU policymakers are attempting to backtrack on environmental and social safeguards. How? By targeting NGOs.  On Wednesday evening , some MEPs brought a targeted debate to the EU Parliament regarding the...