#32 In the Pacific with Antje Boetius, at the GreenTech Festival with Marco Voigt, and on intermittent fasting with Andrea Ciro Chiappa and Uwe Knop

Anne-Marie Melster and I take you on a journey today with one of the most dedicated polar and deep-sea researchers, Antje Boetius, exploring the #UN #OceanDecade, discovering the minds behind one of Europe’s most successful sustainability festivals, the #GreenTechFestival, and learning why fasting regularly makes so much sense.

Today, we embark on a journey with one of the most dedicated polar and deep-sea researchers, exploring the minds behind one of Europe's most successful sustainability festivals, and discovering why fasting regularly is so beneficial.

Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius: From manganese nodules in the Pacific to drift ice in the Arctic: The dreams of a pioneering German scientist.

By Anne-Marie Melster

Antje Boetius is a polar and deep-sea researcher, Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, which also operates the German research vessel Polarstern. Boetius has participated in over 50 expeditions on international research ships. Her accolades, both national and international, are numerous and continue to grow. Not only is she a highly regarded scientist, but she is also one of the world’s most effective science communicators. In 2023, she was honoured as “University Lecturer of the Year,” and this year she received the "Global Compact Award." She has also been awarded the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the Communicator Award from the DFG, the German Environmental Prize (2018), and the Federal Cross of Merit in 2019. She is a member of the Leopoldina National Academy, the German Committee of the UN Ocean Decade, and other national and international academies and scientific societies, while also being an active advocate for science communication. Boetius collaborates with artists, theatre producers, filmmakers, and musicians, focusing on the relationship between humanity and nature.

Antje Boetius is not only a passionate polar researcher shedding light on the impacts of climate change on the oceans and the biodiversity of the deep sea, but she is also an interdisciplinary expert who successfully bridges science and culture to bring vital topics on ocean and environmental preservation to a wider audience. In this capacity, she is a strong advocate for ocean conservation around the world. A regular guest on talk shows, she has a knack for explaining complex issues with clarity and humour. She is also an author, writing not only academic publications but also captivating books like The Dark Paradise, where she explores historical epochs, geographical zones, and the ocean’s diverse realms with her father, the German author Henning Boetius. Together, they take readers into depths that humans rarely access. It's a fascinating book that brings the ocean closer to the reader poetically, historically, scientifically, and visually.

Antje Boetius is also an expert on science and culture in the Anthropocene, working with artists, writers, and journalists on the themes of societal change and how culture and science contribute to it. This includes her work on the Theatre of the Anthropocene, under the patronage of the Humboldt University of Berlin. Co-created with German theatre director Dr. Frank M. Raddatz, the project has been touring Germany since 2019.

Boetius has led numerous expeditions to the polar seas, as well as to the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, such as the 2015 expedition of the research vessel SONNE in the South Pacific to study the potential environmental impact of future deep-sea mining (primarily for manganese nodules used in the production of car batteries and solar panels). This is a contentious topic that continues to spark international debate, especially with the granting of the first deep-sea mining licenses.

The international Arctic mission MOSAiC (2019-2020) was also a landmark event, where the research icebreaker Polarstern was frozen into the Arctic pack ice for months, drifting with the ice so scientists on board could study the Arctic’s impact on global climate – a milestone for climate research.

Her childhood dream was to become a marine biologist, a vision she pursued unwaveringly. She studied marine biology in Hamburg and San Diego, steadily building her career nationally and internationally, with key roles in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Whether at international conferences, theatre premieres, or other events, she’s a star: intelligent, approachable, and down-to-earth.

For young women considering their career paths, my advice would be: Find a mentor like Antje Boetius, someone with both intelligence and heart who can navigate even the strongest headwinds.

GreenTech Festival: Germany’s transformative role in global sustainability and the impact of the GreenTech Festival on this dynamic

Marco Voigt is co-founder, along with former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg, of Europe’s leading sustainability event, the GreenTech Festival (GTF), which has been showcasing innovative technologies for greater sustainability since 2019. As a platform for local and international businesses, policymakers, thought leaders, visionary start-ups, and established companies, the festival brought together more than 200 exhibitors, over 350 speakers, and more than 14,000 attendees at the Berlin Trade Fair Grounds in 2024. In addition to the main event in Berlin, the festival also expanded this year with the GTF CONNECT series, held in London, Singapore, and Los Angeles.

The GreenTech Festival began 19 years ago when Marco Voigt and co-founder Alexia Osswald launched the Green Awards (initially known as the GreenTec Awards). Today, the awards serve as the opening event of the GTF each year. A jury of 55 sustainability experts selects the most influential companies, start-ups, and activists of our time. The winners of the Green Awards Berlin 2024 included Sublime Systems (sustainable cement production), ASTERRA (AI-powered earth observation), and Fatou Jeng (UN climate adviser). Honourary awards were also presented to Arizona Muse (model and environmental activist) and Mamphela Ramphele (member of GCEW and the Planetary Guardians).

After completing his studies in mechanical engineering, automotive technology, and economics, Marco Voigt's career included roles as CEO of Pin Mail AG and as an engineer at Porsche AG, before transitioning to consulting for the EU and German ministries. Today, he leads the international GreenTech Festival and runs a marketing agency for sustainable businesses. His vision is to make the Green Awards the world’s most important environmental prize.

So, what role does the main edition of the GreenTech Festival in Berlin play in driving sustainability in Germany?

The GreenTech Festival in Berlin plays a pivotal role in Germany's transition towards sustainability. The festival provides a platform where stakeholders can present their visions and concrete plans to both a professional audience and interested visitors. As a hub for innovation and technology, Berlin is the ideal setting for the GTF, attracting international talent and companies working together to find solutions for a more sustainable future. The festival strengthens not only Berlin and Germany’s position as leaders in sustainability but also contributes significantly to achieving global environmental goals.

The move of the festival from Tempelhof Airport to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds in 2024 further underscores its growing importance for Germany. Achieving the German government’s goal of climate neutrality by 2045 will require collaboration across all sectors. The event provides a unique opportunity to create synergies and accelerate the sustainable transformation together. By bringing together leading companies, start-ups, policymakers, and environmental activists, the GTF creates a network that fosters innovative ideas with an impact that extends far beyond Germany’s borders.

The presence of partner companies like AUDI, Vodafone, E.ON, and Stadler demonstrates that the urgency of the green transition has been recognised by German industry. Start-ups, too, are offering precise solutions for the next step towards a green transformation, such as hydrogen-powered aircraft (APUS) or sustainable water filtration (Hydro4Earth). At the GreenTech Festival, such new ideas and solutions are showcased, discussed, and then implemented.

PIABO Communications

Learning to Fast from an Italian... Book Review of Intuitive Intermittent Fasting by Andrea Ciro Chiappa and Uwe Knop

Intuitive Intermittent Fasting by Andrea Ciro Chiappa and Uwe Knop introduces readers to a revolutionary dietary method that promises a sustainable approach to well-being and health through the combination of intuitive eating and intermittent fasting. This innovative approach is referred to as the "I3 Formula," which stands for individual, intuitive, and interval-based. It is a work that not only provides scientifically grounded information but also takes the reader on a personal journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

Content and Structure

The book is clearly structured, beginning with a thorough introduction to the world of intuitive eating (IE) and intermittent fasting (IF). Both methods are explained precisely before the authors highlight where they intersect, leading to the development of the I3 Formula. Chiappa and Knop succeed in making a complex topic accessible for laypeople while maintaining depth through numerous scientific studies, practical tips, and personal anecdotes.

One quote from the book captures the essence of the method: "Humans do not only need abundance, they also need 'emptiness' in equal measure for well-being and health maintenance" (p. 10). This insight runs throughout the book, emphasising the importance of breaks in eating habits to recognise true hunger and enjoy food more mindfully.

Five Tips for Applying the I3 Formula

1. Listen to your body: Intuitive eating is based on eating only when you feel genuine physical hunger. Trust your internal signals.
2. Consciously include meal breaks: The intervals between meals should align with your life rhythm, rather than following rigid guidelines.
3. Enjoy your food mindfully: Take your time with your meals and be present. This not only aids digestion but also enhances the feeling of satiety.
4. Experiment with fasting intervals: Find out which fasting intervals best suit your daily routine and physical needs.
5. Give yourself time to adjust: Changes in eating habits require patience. Take the time to discover the optimal eating style for you and integrate it into your life.

The Authors

Andrea Ciro Chiappa, the head of the German Fasting Academy, is an experienced fasting scientist whose passion for the subject of fasting began in his childhood in an Italian family-run restaurant. Early on, he observed how people reacted differently to food, regardless of the quantity consumed. Chiappa’s scientific approach goes far beyond mere calorie counting. His thesis on protein balance during therapeutic fasting laid the foundation for his discoveries that the human body does not suffer from significant protein deficiencies, even during extended fasting periods. These experiences solidified his belief that humans need both fullness and emptiness to achieve a healthy balance. Chiappa is not just a theorist but also a practitioner: in his fasting walking groups, he guides people on their journey to a healthier life, witnessing firsthand the effects of fasting on both body and mind.

Uwe Knop, on the other hand, a pioneer of intuitive eating, hails from a small village along the Moselle River, where he learned the importance of food and enjoyment early on from his grandmother, a passionate cook. His childhood, shaped by traditional German cuisine and a relaxed approach to food, influenced his later career as a nutritionist. Knop's approach to intuitive eating is based on the idea that humans instinctively know what and how much they should eat. Through his critical engagement with common nutritional dogmas, he further developed the concept of intuitive eating, making it his mission to free people from the constraints of rigid diet rules. His realisation: “Food is something very important!” is not a dogma but an invitation to rediscover eating as something natural and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Intuitive Intermittent Fasting is not just a book about diet, but a plea for mindful and natural eating habits that are tailored to individual needs. Andrea Ciro Chiappa and Uwe Knop skilfully combine scientific insights with practical guidance, offering readers a new, liberating approach to nutrition. Those who embrace the I3 Formula can expect greater self-love, an improved quality of life, and a better connection with their bodies.

PS: On a personal note: I highly recommend Andrea Ciro Chiappa—not just as an author, but also as a nutrition expert in person—at the Weckbecker Malteser Clinic in Bad Brückenau, Germany, where I recently experienced therapeutic fasting.

We hope this edition has provided you with inspiration and motivated you to strengthen your commitment to ecological, economic, and social sustainability through innovation for a more liveable world.

Together, we have the power to improve the world step by step. Through mindful choices and positive changes in our personal and professional lives, we can make a meaningful impact.

Let’s continue to grow, learn, and inspire each other to achieve new sustainable heights. If there are any particular topics on your mind, don’t hesitate to share them with me at any time!