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For our second episode, we consider whether democracy or autocracy can provide the action that the global community needs, to combat climate change. We debate whether authoritarian or democratic governments are more effective at handling crises like the pandemic or the Climate emergency. Seeking consensus can be a long process which can delay action. We discuss with our panel if reaching consensus is a process that must be done regardless of the type of government; and if in their opinion consensus helps or hinders action on climate change. We also address the issue of innovation on helping us tackle climate change and if this factor gives democracies an edge on fighting climate change.
Durwood Zaelke is founder and President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development in Washington, DC and Paris, focusing on fast mitigation strategies that avoid maximum warming in the next decade to slow climate feedbacks and avoid tipping points. Prior to IGSD, Zaelke co-founded and served as President of the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington, DC and Geneva (1989-2003), and co-founded the Program on Governance for Sustainable Development at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara. Zaelke is the author of the leading International Environmental textbook, International Environmental Law & Policy (with Hunter & Salzman) (6th ed. forthcoming).
Damien is shortly to retire from the British Army and is currently serving in Vienna as a diplomat. He has engaged with the issues of climate change and latterly sustainability since 1992, when he was the mountain leader supporting a team of glaciologists in Iceland. He has focussed on the topic in at least four post-graduate contexts (including at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership) and led on a number of sustainability projects whilst serving in the army. In his next career Damien will be helping to address the impact of climate change, initially from a base in central Europe. He is currently working with Modul University in Vienna on the development of sustainability programmes, is a fellow of the IEMA and the central European representative for the International Military Council for Climate and Security.
