MY NEW BOOK

By Felix Dodds and Michael Strauss with Maurice Strong

Forty years after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, the goal of sustainable development continues via the Rio+20 conference in 2012. This book will enable a broad readership to understand what has been achieved in the past forty years and what hasn’t. It shows the continuing threat of our present way of living to the planet. It looks to the challenges that we face twenty years from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, "The Earth Summit," in Rio, in particular in the areas of economics and governance and the role of stakeholders. It puts forward a set of recommendations that the international community must address now and in the the future. It reminds us of the planetary boundaries we must all live within and and what needs to be addressed in the next twenty years for democracy, equity and fairness to survive. Finally it proposes through the survival agenda a bare minimum of what needs to be done, arguing for a series of absolute minimum policy changes we need to move forward.

"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 uses 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. 

Publication, now available

"Biodiversity and Ecosystem Insecurity: A Planet in Peril" has been produced by Stakeholder Forum and edited by Ahmed Djoghlaf and Felix Dodds and includes chapters by: Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Thomas E. Lovejoy, Craig Bennett,Johan Rockstrom, Bob Watson, Achim Steiner, Jan McAlpine and Monique Barbut. The book provides an authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the threats presented to human security and well-being by the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity – recently confirmed as one of the critical 'planetary boundaries' that has already been exceeded.

Contributors examine the current trends and state of biodiversity globally, the drivers of biodiversity loss including climate change and economic and population pressures, and the mechanisms and policies needed for conserving and restoring biodiversity in the future. Strong emphasis is placed throughout on the fundamental importance of placing a realistic economic value on nature and the services that ecosystems provide if we are to manage our natural resources successfully; and also on the crucial role of international institutions and government policies achieving this goal.

As the recent high-profile meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan, underlined, the scale and pace of the destruction of natural habitats and species imperil us all. This volume is an invaluable resource for conservationists, students and those in the private and public sectors concerned to redress the damage being done to the natural world.

'Many people around the world remain totally unaware that the Earth is losing its incredible array of plant and animal life at an unprecedented and alarming rate. The dangers to our global biodiversity and the impacts this will have on human society are clearly spelled out in this book which stresses that if we continue with business as usual, we will soon reach a tipping point, causing irreparable and irreversible damage to the major ecosystems that support life on our planet.'

Edward Norton, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity

At last the new book is out Climate Change and Energy Insecurity -- edited by Andrew Higham, Richard Sherman and Felix Dodds with the Foreword by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner: chapters by Lord Stern, Linda Adams, Nnimmo Bassey, Ambassador Stuart, Beck, Craig Bennett, Barbara J. Bramble, Gidon, Bromberg, European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, Director General UN Foor and Agriculture Organisation, Jacques Diouf, Executive Secretary of the Convention for Biological Diversity Ahmed Djoghlaf, Felix Dodds, Michael K. Dorsey, former Executive Director of UNEP Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ladeene Freimuth, former German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Winston Gereluk, Devyani Gupta, Andrew Higham, Steve Howard, Nader al Khateeb, Melinda Kimble, Johan Kuylenstierna, Jürgen Maier, Munqeth Mehyar, Michael Moore, Derek Osborn, Lucien Royer, South African Tourism Minister and former Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Richard Sherman, Andrew Simms, Chris Spence, Nicholas Stern (Lord Stern of Brentford, Kt, FBA), Dave Trouba

Maurice Strong the Secretary General of the Rio and Stockholm Earth Summits said of the book;

“'We must treat climate as a security issue, the most important threat to global security we will ever face. Energy is at the heart of this transition. Climate security and energy security are two sides of the same coin: one cannot be achieved without the other. This book is an important contribution to exploring this vital part of the environmental security agenda."

P. Simran Sethi, Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communcations, University of Kansas and Founding Writer/ Co-Host of Sundance Channel's environmental programming "The Green" said:

Climate and energy are two of the most urgent and formidable issues of our times. This seminal text comprehensively details our challenges and explains the ways in which they are inextricably linked to human rights and environmental stewardship.'

and Ashok Khosla, Chairman, Development Alternatives and President, IUCN and the Club of Rome

New book out 'Gatecrashers, controversial organisations, what future for NGOs in the new global governance' - publisher: Dalloz. Chapter by Felix Dodds entitled: 'The conditions necessary for the success of an NGO Coalition'.

Edited by Felix Dodds

A passionate indictment of the major political parties in Britain today for their failure to face the biggest issues on the British political agenda.

These are issues of survival / not just of ourselves or our families, not just of the immediate environment or of our own country, but of the world itself. Politicians of every tradition have let us down, They offer the superficial appeal of a temporary prosperity. They make no promise for the future.

This book brings together prominent people from socialist, liberal and green traditions together with those from whose experience lies in pressure groups. What they have in common is more remarkable than what divides them despite the fact that they have been candidates for opposing political parties. The empty rhetoric of the twentieth century politics has proved of no worth. This book explores the opportunities for a new and green parliamentary politics which will take us beyond the politics of Thatcher and Kinnock and into the 21st century

Preface Felix Dodds

Green Values Jeremy Seabrook

A Critique Towards Realignment Michael Meadowcroft (former MP)

Liberal Values Into the 1990s Simon Hebditch

Ecological Sustainability Peter Tatchell

We are all Connected Meg Beresford

The Environmental Crisis Simon Hughes MP

Creating the New Economic Orthodoxy Liz Crosbie

Reclaiming the Politics of Emancipation Hilary Wainwright

Towards a Green Europe and a Green World Petra Kelly (former member of the German Parliament)

Liberal Roots to a Green Future Tim Cooper

Moves Towards a Green Future Jean Lambert (now MEP)

A Strategy for New Alliances Peter Hain (now MP)

Green Strategy Sara Parkin

The Politics of Realignment  Felix Dodds and Mike Harskin

Realigning the Vision Jonathon Porritt

APRIL 1997

What people have said about the book:

'for a realistic discussion of the UN programme for sustainable development... look no further. This book shows us where we are, and spells out clearly how much more needs to be done'
Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesman

'a very important contribution to the environmental debate five years on from Rio'
Richard C I Bate, Director, International Chamber of Commerce

'a timely, well-researched, enjoyable read'
Cliff Curtis, Political Adviser, Greenpeace International

'offers the reader an opportunity to see what Rio was all about, how much we have achieved and signposts for the future. It is required reading for all concerned about the impact of the UN process on international, national and local environment and policies'
Barbara Young, RSPB
 

Edited by Felix Dodds

In the years since the Rio Earth Summit, what has been achieved? "The Way Forward" is the essential guide to the progress made at the intergovernmental level and also by national governments, NGOs and grassroots agencies; considers the successes and failures of the last five years; and identifies the main developments that need to be addressed in the future. The contributors come from a variety of disciplines, and all are leading experts in their fields. The essays represent all the interest groups involved - NGOs, governments, international agencies, the business community and community action groups

Introduction by Jonathon Porritt

Preface by Gus Speth Administrator UNDP

Part One looks at the key agreements of the Rio Summit, what has happened since 1992, and how they might develop in the future:

Authors: Chip Linder, Felix Dodds and Tom Bigg, Peter Newell, Fiona McConnell, Carole Saint-Laurent, Camila Toulmin, Philippe  Sands

Part Two assesses the roles and responsibilities of the major stakeholders in implementing the agreements reached at Rio:

Authors: Peter Mucke,  Jeb Brugman, Borg Stigson, Winstan Gereluk and Lucien Royer, Zonny Wood

“This highly readable collection focuses on the issue of global civil society. This is (rather narrowly) defined as 'the arena in which people come together to advance their interests they hold in common, not for profit or political power, but because they care enough about something to take collective action' (Edwards, p.2). There is an immediate problem with this definition. The focus of the book is on NGOs and social movements. Such movements are certainly a key part of global civil society, but are not all of it.”

Kiely, Ray

Edited by Michael Edwards and John Gaventa

Civil society, or citizen's groups, have taken centre stage in international policy debates and global problem solving. They hold out the promise of a global community and global governance. This volume, by leading scholars and participants, shows how to understand the changes that are occurring, particularly in relation to the international institutions involved. It includes case studies from all the major social movements of the 1990s.

Introduction  by Michael Edwards

Part 1 Conceptual frameworks

Ethical globalization by John Clark

Transnational civil society  by Ann Florini

Part II Global Campaigns Global Civil Society and the International Financial Institutions

Transnational civil society coalitions and the World Bank by David Brown and Jonathan Fox

Information, location and legitimacy by Paul Nelson

 Constructing a Southern constituency for global advocacy by Manuel Chiriboga

The IMF and civil society  by Jan  Aart Scholte

Civil society participation in multilateral lending operations by Diana Tussie and Maria Fernanda Tuozzo

Part III Global Campaigns

Landmines: NGO-government collaboration by Matthew Scott

Jubilee 2000 by Carole Collins, Zie Gariyo and Tony Burdon

Cross-border organizing around alternatives to free trade  by John Cavanagh, Sarah Anderson and Karen Hansen Kuhn

 National coalitions and global campaigns: The International Children's Rights Movement by Tom Lent and Roy Trivedy

The global spread of participatory approaches to development by Kamal Singh

Global citizen action on the environment  by Peter Newell

From the corridors of power to the global negotiating table by Felix Dodds

Part  IV Lessons Learned

 International networking for women's human rights  by Charlotte Bunch with Peggy Antrobus, Samantha Frost and Niamh Reilly

Community exchanges for urban transformation  by Sheela Patel, Joel Bolnick and Diana Mitlin

 NGOs, research and international advocacy  by Caroline Harper

 Effective international campaigns by Jennifer Chapman

Global citizen action  by John Gaventa

January 2002

"This book analyses new forms of inclusive decision-making processes based on participation of different groups with a stake in sustainable development issues".

Giusy Chiovato Rambaldo

"This practical guide explains how multi-stakeholder processes can be organised and implemented in order to resolve the complex issues in and around sustainable forms of development, whilst recognising the rights of, and risks faced by, all parties."

IUCN

By Minu Hemmati with Felix Dodds and Jasmin Enayati and Jan McHarry

Governments, business, international bodies and local groups are turning to multi-stakeholder processes to find practical ways forward. This book explains how MSPs can be organized to deliver their potential for successful resolution of complex issues and for sustainable development. It includes detailed examples and provides practical checklists, explaining how to get beyond adversarial politics and achieve positive results.

'An extraordinary review of a complex and evolving dilemma. We should all set aside time to read it thoroughly'
NOEL MORRIN, INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR, RMC GROUP PLC

‘The 1992 Earth Summit was a real milestone in global environmental diplomacy. This timely and challenging book provides both a progress report and a compelling agenda for Earth Summit 2002 and beyond'
JONATHON PORRITT, DIRECTOR, FORUM FOR THE FUTURE

‘If the first Earth Summit was high on idealism but low on practicality, Earth Summit 2002 threatens to reverse the pattern. This vital pre-summit reader manages to combine the highest and best of both’
DAVID BOYLE, NEW ECONOMICS FOUNDATION

Edited by Felix Dodds with Toby Middleton

The success of “Rio+10” in Johannesburg in 2002 is vital for the world in the coming century. In this volume, leading participants, from ministers, UN officials, and NGOs present a frank view of the lack of progress since Rio. They set out the goals the international community must aim for and the means of achieving them. Earth Summit 2002 will be a key text and a catalyst for action for the huge array of organizations and individuals involved in environmental and developmental issues and the political processes surrounding them.

Foreword From Rio to Earth Summit 2002 by Klaus Toepfer

Introduction by Derek Osborn

Preface by Felix Dodds
 

Chapters by:  Simon Upton, Nitin Desai, Victoria Elias, Jeb Brugman, Winston Gereluk and Lucien Royer, Minu Hemmati, Maximo Kalaw, Stephan Bass, Dieke Peters, Cletus A Avoka, Barbara Bramble,  Andrew Simms, Rob Lake, Margaret Brusasco Mackenzie,  Herbert Giradet,  Nina Rao, Frans de Man, Jagjit Plabe and Pieter van de Gaag, Chip Lindner,  Gro Harlem Brindtland, Laurie Michaelis, John Gummer MP, Rosalie Gardner, Jurgan Maier, Felix Dodds,

'How to Lobby has been a great tool for the trade union movement. It has helped our members understand the intergovernmental process and therefore to be much more effective. This book is a must for anyone involved in international politics'
LUCIEN ROYER, Global Union's Director of Occupational, Health, Safety and Environment

'Felix Dodds is the Milo Minderbender of the Stakeholder world' ALEX KIRBY (BBC)

'Stakeholder Forum is a little-known organisation that has nevertheless been the source of many of the most hopeful initiatives at the summit (World Summit on Sustainable Development)' GEOFFREY LEAN, Independent on Sunday

'Civil society's efforts to advance the cause of sustainable development require clever, focused and long-term advocacy, by ever greater numbers of activists. 'Mine is a Cafe Latte' is an invaluable tool for anyone wishing to understand and contribute effectively to the competition of good ideas that intergovernmental meetings should be'
PAUL HOHNEN, former Strategic Director, Greenpeace International

"A genius for convincing the most sceptical legislator of the eminent reasonableness of the sustainable development case."  JOHN GUMMER MP former Secretary of State for the Environment

January 2005

"The guide will be widely used in the Commonwealth and beyond to promote understanding and engagement in the WSSD process at all levels."

Don McKinnon Commonwealth Secretary General

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg in 2002 brought together thousands of delegates who mapped out the future of the global sustainable development agenda. The resulting technical document, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), identifies priorities in the implementation of Agenda 21 and other international agreements and commitments that will take these priorities forward. This plain language version provides an invaluable reference to the outcomes of the WSSD by explaining the JPOI clearly for the lay person and expert alike.

Contents

Foreword by Commonwealth Secretary General

Preface by Felix Dodds and Chip Lindner

Background

“A highly significant and relevant publication! The authors describe in admirable clarity a daunting array of contemporary global challenges and offer realistic and achievable responses. Both the public and policy makers alike are left in no doubt as to the urgency of concerted international action to address threats that affect us all.”

Javier Solana EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy

Edited by Felix Dodds (Executive Director Stakeholder Forum)

and Tim Pippard (Content Editor Jane's Information Group)

Security has tended to be seen as based on military force, yet this illusion is crumbling, literally and figuratively, before our eyes in the conflict zones of Iraq, Afghanistan and equatorial Africa. It is now clear that real human security, defined by the Commission on Human Security as 'protecting vital freedoms', can only be achieved if the full range of issues that underpin human security - including environmental integrity - are addressed. This ground-breaking book, authored by prominent international decision-makers, tackles the global human security problem across the range of core issues. The authors identify the causes of insecurity, articulate the linkages between the different elements of human security and outline an agenda for engaging stakeholders from across the globe in building the foundations of genuine and lasting human security for all nations and all people.

 Introduction       Celso Amorim (Brazilian Foreign Minister)

Foreword           Dr Klaus Toepfer (Executive Director UNEP)

Chapters by: David Hannay, Anders Lidén and Anna Karin Eneström, Oliver Richmond and Jason Franks, Marian Hobbs, Noeleen Heyzer,  Jan Pronk , Hilary Benn  MP, Melinda Kimble ,  Devyani Gupta , Dr. Christine Durbak and Dr. Claudia Strauss, Jeffrey McNeely, Henrique Cavalacanti, Patricia Wouters ,  Anna Tibaijuka,  Jim Garrison, Sabin Mendibil Intxaurraga, Hannah Griffiths, Felix Dodds, Serge Lepeltier

May 2007 Downloadable from

http://www.stakeholderforum.org

Introduction: Felix Dodds and Michael Strauss

 Written by  Felix Dodds (SF), Megan Howell (SF), Michael Strauss (Earth Media), Maria Onestini (CEDEA and UNEP.