The theme of the Leopoldina Annual Assembly on 24 and 25 September will be “Biodiversity and the Future of Variety”. Biologist and Leopoldina member Katrin Böhning-Gaese and agricultural economist Joachim von Braun, who is a Leopoldina member too, are two of the speakers lined up to talk about this topic. In this interview, they outline the current situation and explain why we need to take action. More on the Pages 4 and 5

Faced with the challenge of our times – centred in particular around the climate crisis – the Leopoldina and the Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) decided to publish a joint position paper on the topic of climate neutrality. It was presented to Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor, at the annual RNE conference on 8 June 2021. More on Page 7

The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany has been something of a mixed bag. With a view to presenting suggestions for improving economic and social policy based on the lessons learnt, the Leopoldina statement on “Economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic – analysis and possible courses of action” looks into structural change and economic growth, inequality and distribution, the capacity of government organisations and the sustainability of public finances. More on Page 8