Astrid Schomaker is also called the voice of nature at the UN: She heads the secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP). Its task is to protect biological diversity on our planet. But it could just as easily be called the voice of the future or the voice of the people, because nature is the foundation of our lives – it provides air, water and food. In times of climate change and species extinction, Schomaker's work is more important than ever. “We have to protect nature if we want to survive,” she said in an interview with Spektrum magazine.
Biological diversity is not a luxury for nature lovers or tourists, but a basis for human life. The world's ecosystems are often in poor condition, Schomaker told Deutschlandfunk, and as a result they are often no longer able to provide, for example, groundwater and climate, which agriculture has found and needed for centuries. And not only that: “That means we can no longer be sure that we will have enough drinking water for everyone in the future.”
Protect nature and consider people's needs
Schomaker and UNEP work closely with governments, scientists and non-governmental organizations to develop strategies that protect nature while taking into account the needs of people. The focus is on topics such as sustainable development and environmental justice.
Schomaker studied English, history and law in Hamburg and Norwich. She later worked at the European Commission. Since she moved to the main environmental department there in 2004, she has remained loyal to the topic. In April 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Deutsche head of the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP). In this role, she also leads the 16th COP 16 biodiversity conference in the Colombian city of Cali. What Schomaker formulates in general terms also applies to their goals: “If we care about nature conservation, then it is also and primarily about nature conservation for humanity.”
