Swedish environmental explorer Johan Ernst Nilson has crossed the Arctic ice from the North Pole in a 47-day expedition, spent 100 days in Antarctica documenting climate change, and conquered Everest in 2007. He has visited every country on the planet — all 196 of them. In his column, he reflects on possibility, the nature of the world, and why today is the only day that matters.
One thing that stood out from my upbringing was that my parents never held me back. They never pushed me, but they never stopped me either. When I said I wanted to attend design school, they thought it was brilliant.
When I expressed interest in studying medicine, they simply said, marvellous. When I told them I would be cycling to the Sahara the following week, their response was to be careful and wear a helmet. On the first day of my cycling trip to Africa, I became severely ill.
I phoned my mum, declaring I was returning home. She asked why I couldn’t simply repeat what I had done that day, but tomorrow. After 52 days I stood with the sand between my toes.
I hadn’t cycled to Africa all at once. I had done the same thing every day for 52 days. Apparently, that gets you to Africa.
When you believe something is impossible, it is very easy — you decide not to try, as it is impossible anyway. When you start your adventures, everything they told you turns out to be false. Everything was possible.
I began travelling the world because I was curious about people. Every place is beautiful. Nature did not create ugliness — it is merely a matter of perspective.
Every person is interesting. It all depends on the questions you ask. If you ask about someone’s job, 95 percent of people will say they just work to feed their family.
But if you ask about their passions and dreams, you begin to truly know the person. The question of saving the world is a philosophical one. Until we understand that we are part of nature, we cannot coexist harmoniously.
We are the only species that has been responsible for directly causing the extinction of other species. We need to change our philosophy. The best thing for the planet right now might be our absence.
During COVID, within just two years, snow leopards returned to Nepal, bears and wolves roamed the streets of California. The main question is how can we live together with nature. Today is the most important day of my life.
What can I do today? How can I create something meaningful? How can I make the world a better place?
How can I be a good person and find happiness? These questions are essential for living a fulfilling life.