Nearly 650 people gathered at Sara Kulturhus in Skellefteå when scientist Johan Rockström and artist, NatGeo Explorer, photographer and filmmaker Mattias Klum took the stage during Society Expo 2026.

Through a combination of scientific research, striking statistics, personal experiences and powerful imagery, they explored the state of the planet and the choices that will shape its future. The lecture highlighted the close connections between climate change, biodiversity loss and the resilience of the natural systems on which societies depend.

Mattias Klum contributed photographs and stories from some of the world’s most biodiverse environments, bringing both the beauty and vulnerability of oceans, rainforests and Arctic landscapes into focus. Together, Rockström and Klum delivered a message of urgency, but also of possibility: the challenges are serious, yet meaningful action can still change the course ahead.

The evening concluded with a moderated discussion and questions from the audience, creating a powerful meeting between science, visual storytelling and public engagement.