Get to know Joakim Odelberg
Swedish readers may already know you from the nature programs you’ve presented on Swedish TV, but for our UK and international readers, could you introduce yourself?
Sure! I’m Joakim Odelberg, a film and photojournalist, and an elected fellow of the Explorers Club. I’m an ocean advocate, public speaker, and TV host, working mainly on ocean-related topics. In Sweden, I host one of the country’s most popular shows, Surrounded by Nature. I’ve also made several documentaries—my first was on ghost nets in the Baltic Sea, and my latest is a TV series that aired on Swedish National TV, National Geographic Africa and Asia, and some more TV channels, called One Planet, One Chance.
Our Nordic Soundscapes series features three new pieces of music by Nordic composers, accompanied by your underwater film. What was the creative process like?
Actually, the music came first! Andrea Östlund and I worked the other way around from the usual process, fitting the footage to the music. It was exciting because it made us think differently. Normally, the music is added to match the visuals, but this time, the music led the way, and we shaped the underwater world around it.
We often see wildlife filmmaking on TV that tries to make nature look pristine and somehow separate from human life. What are you aiming to show us in these films?
With Nordic Fragile Hope, it’s more than just showing pristine nature. It’s a video installation—a kind of art piece, with five Nordic composers creating original music for the film. We take the audience from the beauty and movement of the oceans, down into the depths where human impact becomes visible—marine debris, ghost nets, all that. But then we rise back into the light, showing the resilience and beauty of the ecosystems that can still be saved.
You came to London at the end of September to take part in the first of our four Notes on Nature discussions and introduce the first of the pieces featuring your films, What the Wind Brings by Miho Hazama. What was that like?
I loved the Notes on Nature discussions because it was different from what I’m used to. Instead of the typical panel setup where we just talk to the audience, we actually engaged with them. We were a panel with three guests—Jon and Dan—and Teddy acted as the moderator. But the exciting part was how we invited the audience to be part of the conversation. We’d throw out a provocation, and then everyone, both us on the panel and the audience, would discuss it together.
Listening to the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall was amazing. And seeing my underwater footage on the big screen behind them was a moment I’ll never forget. It’s one of those memories that will stay with me.
Saving the ocean seems like an enormous challenge that none of us can achieve as individuals. But is there one simple action you wish everyone would take that would really make a difference?
Yes, absolutely. One of the most impactful things you can do is think about what you eat, especially if you love seafood. Support small-scale, sustainable fishing that uses methods which don’t harm the ocean. Avoid supporting industrial fishing and bottom trawling, which are incredibly destructive to marine ecosystems. Also, use your voice—support decisions and vote for more marine-protected areas and stronger environmental protections for our oceans. By making more conscious choices and pushing for better protection, you can help create real, positive change.
What other concerts coming up in our London season would you love to hear, and why?
It’s hard to choose just one, honestly. There are so many great performances. I’m a big fan of Santtu as a conductor—he’s fantastic, and I’d love to be there when Mats Larsson Gothe’s Submarea is played. But then again, Sibelius and Nielsen are incredible composers as well. To be honest, I’d love to see them all!
Enjoy remaining screenings of Joakim’s work on 27 October and 3 November, full details in the ‘Related Concerts’ links below.
