Greiner Talks with Fred Luks

In the last regular episode of Greiner Talks, Alexander Berth meets sustainability expert Fred Luks again - the very first guest.

In the latest episode of Greiner Talks, host Alexander Berth reconnects with sustainability thinker, author, and economist Fred Luks ─ the very first guest of the podcast series five years ago. This marks the final regular episode of Greiner Talks, making the reunion even more special.

Ideas ahead of their time

Much has changed in the world since the first episode of Greiner Talks with Fred Luks was released in 2020. For Fred Luks, the biggest personal shift was becoming a father. This life event sharpened his sense of urgency: “I’m becoming more impatient because it’s so obvious that we are fundamentally on the wrong track as a society.” Yet fatherhood also strengthened his commitment to hope ─ a theme deeply embedded in his books and writing.

Professionally, Luks has spent decades navigating academia, financial services, and public discourse, consistently pushing sustainability forward long before it became a mainstream corporate concern. Looking back, he admits that many of his early ideas were shaped by a certain naive optimism that didn’t always align with corporate thinking. However, he still feels that balancing pragmatic judgement with a touch of idealism remains important. 

Complex times require new thinking

Today’s world is even more complex ─ marked by geopolitical instability, the climate crisis, and rapid technological shifts such as AI. Sustainability often risks dropping down the priority list. But Luks argues this is precisely why it matters more than ever. One thing is clear: Complex times require new thinking.