Joakim Odelberg

What do we do with what we know? We do not have a knowledge problem. We have an action problem.

The research exists. The science exists. The evidence exists.

The question is not only what we know. It is what we do with what we know.

“We have access to more research, science and data than ever before. Yet we continue to make decisions that often go against what science shows.” – Joakim Odelberg

It is a question that has emerged through 19 years of expeditions, fieldwork, research projects and international collaborations.

In his keynote talks, Joakim Odelberg shows how research and science can be transformed in new ways to create understanding, engagement and action. By bringing together research, education and the Next Generation with film, music, culture and immersive experiences, he develops new ways to make complex issues understandable, relevant and possible to act upon.

As an Explorer, award-winning film and photojournalist, presenter, entrepreneur and founder of the Fragile Hope Foundation, Joakim has worked closely with leading researchers, experts and organisations around the world.

Ghosts in the Baltic Sea

The documentary Ghosts in the Baltic Sea, which premiered on TV4 Fakta in 2011, demonstrated the power of making an invisible problem visible. Through the film, the issue of lost fishing gear entered the public debate and contributed to increased awareness, resources and concrete action around the recovery and recycling of ghost nets and the development of circular solutions. In 2013, “ghost nets” became an established term in Sweden.

One Planet, One Chance

As initiator, presenter and producer of the internationally distributed documentary series One Planet, One Chance, Joakim explored the larger connections shaping our planet. Together with researchers, experts and local communities, the series showed how our decisions affect the life-supporting systems we depend on and why knowledge must be turned into action.

The series was produced in collaboration with SVT and internationally distributed through Blue Ant Media, including National Geographic in Africa and Asia.

Nordic A Fragile Hope

With Nordic A Fragile Hope, Joakim developed a new format where research, film, music, culture and education came together to create a new way of understanding the ocean and the life-supporting system we depend on. The project was his initiative and was developed in collaboration with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, where scientific perspectives met artistic expression to reach people in new ways.

The project won Best Collaboration at the Inhouse Awards, was nominated for a Swedish Grammy Award and expanded internationally through a collaboration with Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Festival Hall in London. In Sweden, the project reached more than 18,000 people through concerts and educational initiatives, including 10,002 students. In London, three sold-out concerts at Royal Festival Hall reached approximately 11,000 people, alongside a sold-out panel discussion on the ocean, science and culture moderated by Joakim together with Philharmonia.

Living on the Interest

With Living on the Interest, Joakim took the next step in his work of turning research and knowledge into action. Together with the University of Gothenburg and five students from the Bachelor’s Programme in Sustainable Development, Societal Change and Climate Transformation (HUSK), he developed a system tool and educational tool that reveals the connection between decisions, systems and consequences.

Through a physical immersive experience, participants make decisions themselves and experience the consequences of their choices. The project is built around a simple but uncomfortable insight:

Not making a decision to protect is also a decision.