• 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Introduction Session
  A comprehensive overview of the lectures and course structure.

• 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: SDG Quiz
  Test your knowledge and learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with our engaging SDG Quiz.

• 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Q&A session

Room: 2300 – Lecture Hall Friedrich von Thiersch | Floor: 2 | Building: 0503 Thierschbau | Arcisstr. 21, 80333 Munich

Seeking no one’s help and asking nobody’s permission, Russian geophysicist Sergey Zimov and his son Nikita are gathering any large wooly beast they can get their hands on, and transporting them, by whatever low budget means they can contrive, to the most remote corner of Siberia. They call their project Pleistocene Park. The goal: restore the Ice Age “mammoth steppe” ecosystem and avoid a catastrophic feedback loop leading to runaway global warming. Sergey would know: fifteen years ago he published in the journal Science showing that frozen arctic soils contain twice as much carbon as the earth’s atmosphere. These soils are now starting to melt.

While Zimov’s brilliance and charisma have won him friends and supporters, his oversized ego, lack of diplomacy, and cranky iconoclasm make him a challenge to work with. Nikita, Sergey’s son, is the last man standing to deal with his father’s idiosyncrasies and carry forward his vision.

Nature doesn’t cooperate, equipment breaks, bureaucrats meddle, animals run away, there is never enough money, and constant media coverage nets them unsolicited advice from around the globe, but no concrete support. After years of backbreaking labor and risking their lives on shoestring expeditions to bring animals to Pleistocene Park, it remains an extremely funky operation, dominated by swarming mosquitoes and mud pits rather than vast thundering herds.

The clock is ticking. Impacts of climate change – hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves and floods – are being felt sooner than anticipated. Sergey and Nikita find alarming evidence that permafrost is reaching its tipping point now, rather than in thirty years as they predicted. On a global scale, progress addressing the root cause of climate change – anthropogenic carbon emissions – is as elusive as ever.

Can two Russian scientists stave off a worst case scenario of global environmental catastrophe and reshape humanity’s relationship with the natural world?

Documentary screening in cooperation with DOK.fest

DOK.fest is the largest film festival in Germany dedicated solely to documentaries. The 2024 edition starts on Wednesday, May 1st, and shows more than 400 screenings, expects some 400 directors and producers, and protagonists, presenting more than 100 films and events in cinemas all across Munich and online. Some events are free for all – as e.g. the industry talk of DOK.forum or Jan’s secret tipp: the Masterclass of the 2024 Guests of Honor the Dutch Couple Petra and Peter Lataster on Sunday at the festival centre at HFF, Munich. If you’d like to know what it takes to make a documentary, this is the event you would not want to miss!

Jan Sebening is a filmmaker, lecturer, father, and member of the DOK.fest Team – albeit not always in that order. With a background in documentary filmmaking he loves to mentor students’ projects and to organize the Student Award @DOK.fest.

    Shared Session with Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences

Lecture Hall R 1.046 | Lothstraße 64 or online via Zoom Meeting-ID 947 3715 4657 with password 631726

Concrete is generally regarded as a climate-damaging building material. The presentation wants to show that the building industry doesn’t work without concrete. Concrete can also be sustainable and resource-saving if the right ingredients were used.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andrea Kustermann is a professor of Building Chemistry, Building Materials, and Building in Existing Structures at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Munich University of Applied Sciences since October 2013. At the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich, she served as an Academic Director (5/2013 – 9/2013), Scientific Laboratory Manager (2005-2013), and Research Assistant (1998-2005) at the Institute of Construction Materials. Following her apprenticeship as a carpenter (1990-1992), Andrea Kustermann studied Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (1992-1997). Since 1999, she has run her own engineering office for building damage assessments and material analysis and has been a partner in the construction company for renovation and remodeling work, Kustermann & Herz GbR, since 2003.

Join our workshop to learn more about the project and the situation in Munich. We will do some creative work together and explore the university’s neighbourhood.

NOTE: PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUP OR FOOD CONTAINER WITH YOU.

Einmal ohne, bitte is a project founded in Munich by rehab republic e.V. with the main goal of enabling package-free shopping by using one’s own cup, container, or bag.

The number of participants is limited. Registration link coming soon!

Where: TBA (on TUM Main Campus)

    Shared Session with Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences

Lecture Hall 0980 (AUDIMAX, Siemens-Hörsaal, Auditorium Maximum), Ground floor | Arcisstraße 21 or online via our Zoom link

Did you know that everyone has a strong impact on “Life below water” and our marine ecosystems, even though we here in Bavaria live so far away from the ocean? Do you want to learn how and why we need to act now for our oceans and marine life? Then join this lecture by Frank Schweikert, Founder and Director of the German Ocean Foundation. He will explain how the daily work of the institutions he is involved in contribute to a meaningful status improvement of the world’s largest ecosystem – the ocean. Although we humans depend on a healthy ocean to survive on planet Earth and the ocean is connected to all our rivers, we nearly know nothing about it. So, let’s dive into this amazing and still unknown ecosystem, allow ourselves to be inspired to change how we think, act, and feel about the ocean, and learn how we, even as students, can sustainably impact the future of “Life below water”.

Frank Schweikert is the founder and director of the German Ocean Foundation, President of the German Marine Litter Association, and Vice President of the German Society for Marine Research. He is the founder of Hamburg Climate Week (since 2009) and an associated member of the German branch CLUB OF ROME and ALDEBARAN Marine Research and Broadcast. He was a member of the European Union Assembly Mission Board “Climate Change Adaptation, including Societal Transformation” (2019-2022) and an honorary member of the Rotary Club Passport ECO Planet. He studied Biology with a diploma at the Universities of Stuttgart and Munich.

Countries are not on track to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030. Although SDGs aim to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path, countries are not yet able to make transformative changes for long-term sustainability that require building social prosperity and foundations within planetary boundaries. Failing to achieve SDGs will negatively affect billions of people and worsen environmental conditions and socio-economic problems. Therefore, BeyondSDG aims to understand the necessary conditions for long-term sustainability, including achieving SDGs, based on the following specific objectives:

1. identify critical targets for prioritizing SDGs;
2. investigate the effects of (under)achieving SDGs on long-term sustainability beyond 2030; and
3. identify sustainability targets for the post-2030 development agenda. For this, BeyondSDG applies a threefold scientific approach that combines statistical analysis of empirical and modelled data, qualitative analysis of literature, and knowledge co-creation with stakeholders, including sectoral experts and policymakers, based on systems thinking.

This combination of three approaches is complementary and essential to deal with the complex topic of long-term sustainability.

Prajal Pradhan, an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen, studied agricultural engineering and environmental management. He has received the ERC Starting Grant 2022. Prajal was a lead author of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land. He has experience designing relevant research on sustainable development, climate change, and food systems. His current research focuses on understanding the necessary conditions for long-term sustainability, including achieving SDGs, urban transformations, and climate resilience. He is also a Visiting Scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

More details on the entire program to follow!

  Workshop with Plant a Seed: 10 Ways to Add Biodiversity to the Garden – Pinja Pöytäniemi
When: 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm | Meeting point: In front of Mensa
Worried about the decline in biodiversity? You’re not alone! Nowadays, lots of gardens are turning into ecological deserts, missing out on the variety of plants and critters vital for a healthy ecosystem. Let’s tackle this together! Come join our workshop where we’ll dive into real solutions. We’ll get hands-on exploring how to boost biodiversity, using our campus raised beds as a starting point. Forget boring lectures – this is all about teamwork! Together, we’ll brainstorm ideas and find ways to make your outdoor spaces into bustling hubs for biodiversity. Ready to become a biodiversity hero in your own backyard? Let’s do this!

Plant a Seed is an innovative sustainability project at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) focused on the water-energy-food nexus. Through our campus garden and activities, we promote awareness of sustainable consumption, biodiversity conservation, green urban spaces, microclimate mitigation, and food sovereignty. Originating as a study project in environmental engineering, it has blossomed into a campus-wide movement, engaging students across disciplines in practical, sustainable campus development. Backed by TUM’s academic expertise, we foster transdisciplinary collaboration and research while piloting circular economy concepts. Join us in sowing the seeds of change for a greener future!

Shared Session with the TUM Green Office Weihenstephan and SRM Talks

We joined the Green Office in their inspiring program Biodiversity Week Weihenstephan for a day of immersion in SDG 15 Life on Land. Check out the full program for the week, which runs from May 13-17.

Knosporus Bioblitz – Biodiversity in the Campus Garden
When: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Meeting point: Campus garden “Knosporus”, Lange Point 14, 85354 Freising
Together with the CampusAckerdemie students, we explore the flora and fauna in the campus garden and immerse ourselves in the hidden wonderland of nature in the Knosporus microcosm. Whether you are young or old, whether you are a species expert or just like to spend time outside, come along and join our colourful bioblitz!

  Reintroduction of Species and Species Conservation
When: 5:00 pm | Where: TBA (on campus Weihenstephan)

• Hands-on or Hands-off – What is the best Approach in Species Conservation? – Dr. Norbert Schäffer (LBV Chairman)
  Dr. Norbert Schäffer, chairman of LBV (Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature in Bavaria), will delve into the multifaceted approaches utilized by organizations like LBV in species conservation. In his presentation, he will draw upon various examples of species protection initiatives in Bavaria to illustrate the range of methods, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.
• Species Conservation in Transition: Climate Change is Becoming a Challenge for the European Bald Ibis – Johannes Fritz (Project Manager LIFE Project)
  Johannes Fritz will discuss the ongoing project of reintroducing northern bald ibises, supported by the European LIFE program, which has successfully reintroduced around 250 birds into the wild. However, delays in autumn migration due to longer warm periods from global warming threaten their survival, prompting efforts to establish a second migration route to Andalusia, Spain. This highlights the significant impact of climate change on wildlife and the challenges for conservation projects.

• Discussion and Networking Dinner
  Following the talks, there will be a moderated discussion where attendees can engage with the presenters and explore topics further. This will be followed by a vegan networking dinner, allowing attendees to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed setting.

What does it take to use our economy as a lever to shape the sustainable transformation? And why are we still working with paradigms that are outdated? The talk will give an overview of future needs and obstacles on the way. How can we shape our economy to operate within planetary boundaries? And how do we need to shift our way of thinking about things?

Antonia is advocating for a regenerative and just new economic thinking. She is currently studying the M.A. Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology at TU Munich, working at the sustainability consultancy Agentur2020. Furthermore, she is a fellow and coach at the think-tank CRITICAL FRIENDS, where they actively want to create a beautiful economy.

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A healthy ocean is essential to global well-being, biodiversity, and includes critical ecosystems underpinning all life on earth. Despite its values, the ocean is under immense pressure from human activities, threatening its ability to support human well-being, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities. The majority of these pressures come from economic activities related to the ocean (“ocean economy”) such as fishing, aquaculture, coastal development, and shipping. Globally the ocean economy is worth over $4t AUD/yr and is expanding at twice the rate of the mainstream economy. At the same time, the gap in funding to protect and manage ocean health is at least $266b AUD/year and growing rapidly. Not only does this put the future of the ocean at risk, it also risks the entire global economy: over two-thirds of all publicly listed companies are at risk due to ocean decline.

Investing a sustainable ocean economy (SOE) however can reduce economic losses by $8t AUD by 2037, yield six times more food and create 12 million new jobs by 2030. In a SOE, ocean health and ocean wealth are held in balance, and sufficient and durable finance for the management of ocean health is provided from the SOE. Despite clear evidence that achieving SOE will be better economically, ecologically and socially, market barriers hinder the transition. Key market barriers include inadequate policies, funding, capacities, and pipelines of investable SOE deals.

This talk will dive into the global efforts to align capital flows with SDG 14.

Dr. Dennis Fritsch is focusing on ocean finance and the blue economy at Minderoo Foundation. Previously, he led the United Nations’ Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative, bringing together banks, insurers, and investors to align their activities with a sustainable ocean economy and SDG 14 – Life Below Water. Before, he established the research department at Responsible Investor, focusing on investor perspectives on Blue Economy and biodiversity. He further supported the European Commission’s BlueInvest Fund and BLUE Marine Foundation, alongside being selected as a Protect.Blue Wavemaker 2023 and for the pool of experts to contribute to the UN’s 3rd World Ocean Assessment (WOA III).

Shared Session with TUM Venture Labs

Join us to delve into the current challenges of growing household electronic waste and learn about the biggest levers to solutions. Get inspired to take action and be a part of the change!

Ina Jade Seng is a design strategist with 20+ years of experience leading innovation teams to shape the future of products and services. Having worked for telecommunications, medical, mobility and energy sectors, she brings profound consumer electronics expertise. For the past 7 years at B/S/H Home Appliances, Ina has driven circular innovations and sustainable strategies as Product Owner of Sustainability.

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