Why biodiversity matters: ESMT Insight Hour with Dr. Christof Schenck
May 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
ESMT Berlin, Schlossplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, and via livestream
This event will take place on campus and online. To attend the event via livestream, please register using the form below. To attend the event on campus, please register here.
The great misunderstanding – and why biodiversity matters
Wars, trade disputes, and democratic backsliding dominate today’s headlines. But beneath these urgent issues lie even deeper, long-term crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pandemics.
In this ESMT Insight Hour, Dr. Christof Schenck, executive director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society, will make the case that biodiversity is not a luxury – it is the foundation of all our futures. Drawing on decades of global conservation work, he will explore the risks of ignoring ecological systems and offer a vision for how societies can reverse course. The conversation will be moderated by Joanna Radeke, director of the ESMT Institute for Sustainable Transformation, who works closely with companies and stakeholders on advancing sustainability strategies.
Join us for an evening of actionable insight on our relationship with the natural world.
About the speaker
Dr. Christof Schenck is a biologist and leading voice in global biodiversity conservation. As executive director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and its foundation Help for Threatened Wildlife, he oversees conservation programs in over 20 countries focused on protecting large, biodiverse ecosystems in close collaboration with local communities and authorities. Dr. Schenck serves on several national and international conservation boards and has been recognized with numerous environmental honors, including the prestigious German Environmental Award in 2022. His work emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize biodiversity as a foundation for planetary and societal resilience.
About the moderator
Joanna Radeke is director of the ESMT Institute for Sustainable Transformation and director of sustainability at ESMT Berlin. She manages the Sustainable Business Roundtable (SBRT) and is responsible for the Climate Governance Initiative Germany, which, co-founded by ESMT, the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), and Board Academy e.V, helps companies and boards address climate and societal challenges. Radeke brings over a decade of experience in sustainability, research, and stakeholder engagement. She also serves on advisory and governance boards related to business and sustainability, such as Quadriga Capital.
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