Drawing on her experience as membership coordinator for Australian online campaign group GetUp during 2008-9, FDSD volunteer Sally Hill considers the rise of online activism exemplified by four organisations: MoveOn, GetUp, 38 Degrees, and GetUp. Case studies focus on the four organisations’ climate change activities. The discussion paper also discusses the implications of online activism for democracy and for effective action on climate change.

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In this paper, which forms Paper Two in FDSD’s project on The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change, the authors review a range of definitional approaches to democracy. They discuss the relevance of existing approaches in the light of climate change and its possible impacts on democracy.

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In this first paper from FDSD’s project on ‘The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change’, Halina Ward outlines the range of links between democracy and climate change. The paper explores the range of reasons why it is important to explore the project’s central question: How might democracy and participatory decision-making have evolved to cope with the challenges of climate change by the years 2050 and 2100?”. 

Separate sections address democracy; the sustainable development challenge to democracy; climate science; the Copenhagen Climate Summit, and climate change and the wider challenges of preparing for resilient democracy.

The paper lays the ground for FDSD’s work throughout 2010 to develop scenarios for the future of democracy in the face of climate change.

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In this paper written following an NGO Leaders meeting on democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development held in October 2009, participants reflect on an emerging agenda on democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development, and their potential role in shaping its course.

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Leading sustainability campaigner Charles Secrett sets out a possible pathway for achieving revolutionary change towards democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development.

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Ian Christie considers lessons from the so-called ‘climategate’ affair in this short piece, written during the December 2009 COP15 negotiations.

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Halina Ward reflects on the potential relevance for the UK of Hungary’s unique ‘Green Ombudsman’ role: the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Generations. This piece was originally published in the November issue of the electronic journal of the UK Environmental Law Association, e-law.

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This short background note, produced by Capacity Global and the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development, is intended to help stimulate discussion at a half-day Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Leaders meeting on democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development on 26^th October 2009. The note outlines a range of intersections between democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development in the UK, and highlights issues for consideration at the meeting.

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In this piece, published on opendemocracy.net on the Second International Day of Democracy, 15th September 2009, FDSD’s Director and Chair reflect on links between democracy and climate change; and urge the global community to recognise the dangers posed to democracy by climate change.

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On the occasion of the second International Day of Democracy, FDSD Chair John Elkington and Director Halina Ward write to United Nations Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon on the subject of equipping democracy for resilience in the face of climate change. They warn that unless the world’s nations take meaningful and decisive action to tackle climate change, democracy itself may be a casualty, and ask that in future years International Day of Democracy become an opportunity to reflect on the democratic challenge of climate change.

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This report contains the text of a presentation made by Halina Ward to participants at Salzburg Global Seminar’s 2009 Board weekend. The report reflects on the idea of ‘One World’ thinking and ethics by highlighting links between democracy and sustainable development.

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Halina Ward analyses tensions between government-led public policy and multistakeholder decision-making in this piece on the proposed ISO 26000 International Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility.

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This report records discussions at a three-day seminar  held in New Delhi in February 2009. The event explored Indian perspectives on links between democracy and sustainability. It was organised by Salzburg Global Seminar and the 21st Century Trust in collaboration with The Environment Foundation, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and TERI.

Keynote speakers were Mr Nitin Desai and Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and TERI Director-General.

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This report records discussions at a March 2008 event on Democracy and Sustainability which was organised by The Environment Foundation and 21st Century Trust and hosted by the Dana Centre.

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John Elkington and John Lotherington’s reflections on discussions on ‘Democracy and Sustainability’ at the Dana Centre in March 2008. They ask: is democracy necessary for sustainable development, or does it get in the way?

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