Student Speaker Series Media: Mattias Klum
Mattias Klum was born in Uppsala, Sweden in 1968. He has worked full-time as a photographer since 1986, and as a cinematographer and director on numerous film and television projects since 1994. Mattias is internationally recognized for describing and portraying animals, plants, and natural and cultural settings in the form of articles, books, films, lectures and exhibitions. His artistic photographic language has rendered him success not only in the world of documentaries but also in the art scene.
Visit Mattias's website to learn more about her and see some of his amazing photographs.
Learn even more about Mattias at Changemaker Talent.
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Background Information
These links have been compiled as a companion to the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series Educator Resources here. Click here to download the full educator resources packet.
Articles and Books
Holland, Jennifer S. “The Bite that Heals.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, Feb. 2013, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/venom. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
White, Mel. “Borneo’s Moment of Truth.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, Nov. 2008, https://archive.nationalgeographic.com/national-geographic/2008-nov/flipbook/36-37/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Klum, Mattias. “King Cobras: Feared, Revered.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, Nov. 2001, https://archive.nationalgeographic.com/national-geographic/2001-nov/flipbook/100/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Klum, Mattias. “Asia’s Last Lions.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, Jun. 2001, https://archive.nationalgeographic.com/national-geographic/2001-jun/flipbook/46. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Clutton-Brock, Tim. “Meerkats Stand Tall.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, Sept. 2002, https://archive.nationalgeographic.com/national-geographic/2002-sep/flipbook/52. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Dotschkal, Janna. “Instagram Spotlight: Life in Technicolor.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, 26 Mar. 2015, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/instagram-spotlight-life-in-technicolor. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Klum, Mattias & Rockström, Johan. “Big World, Small Planet : Abundance within Planetary Boundaries.” Stockholm, Max Ström, Sept. 2015, https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300218367/big-world-small-planet/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Film and Video
“Interview: Mattias Klum | National Geographic.” YouTube, uploaded by National Geographic, 18 Jul. 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArZdTRBtAAI. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Mattias Klum on global sustainability: why we should care - and act.” YouTube, uploaded by EAT, 2 Jun. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYfOZdlI5LQ. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Revenge of the Meerkat.” National Geographic Live!, National Geographic Society, 2011, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/revenge-meerkat/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Mattias Klum: Lions, Leeches and Cobra Tongues | Nat Geo Live.” YouTube, uploaded by National Geographic, 28 Nov. 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dFW04y9B6c. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Klum, Mattias. “The Young Sea.” Journeyman Pictures, 27 Jun. 2018, https://www.journeyman.tv/film/7362/the-young-sea. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Klum, Mattias. “Vamizi: Cradle of Coral.” Journeyman Pictures, 15 Mar. 2018, https://www.journeyman.tv/film/7299/vamizi-cradle-of-coral. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Websites
“Sumatra and Borneo | Animals, People and Threats | WWF.” World Wildlife Foundation, 2019, https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/borneo-and-sumatra. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Orangutans & Palm Oil - CMZoo.” Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, https://www.cmzoo.org/conservation/orangutans-palm-oil/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Animals.” National Geographic Society, 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Meerkat | National Geographic.” National Geographic Society, 2010, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/meerkat. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Asiatic Lion | National Geographic.” National Geographic Society, 2011, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/asiatic-lion. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“King cobra, facts and photos.” National Geographic Society, 2010, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/king-cobra. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Home - Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants.” Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 2023, https://www.exploringbytheseat.com. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 4, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpFfbyVWQ0_gCyWoXhGAqY3a.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 3, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 July. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpGryUYol9hbrpGZZmBhbO3G.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 2, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 20 July. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpEhK9d-PHhHQqQgdM-2Xay0.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 1, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 July. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpGLflfxa9I5lXsmBoDeRMD0.
“The Wild Side Of Borneo with George Kourounis.” YouTube, uploaded by Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 8 May 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95GRu_oVTbk. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Orangutans With Justin Grubb.” YouTube, uploaded by Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 10 Nov. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fHxRf7eTFs. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Amazing Snakes with Kurt Schwenk.” YouTube, uploaded by Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 20 Sept. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdCmpREuYQ8. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Activities
“K20 LEARN | Venom: From Lethal To Lifesaving.” K20 LEARN, K20 Center, The University of Oklahoma, 31 May 2022, https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/lesson/453. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Lesson Plan | Conservation Island.” California Academy of Sciences, https://www.calacademy.org/educators/lesson-plans/conservation-island. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Snake Jaws: Connecting Structure and Function | PBS LearningMedia.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/midlit10.sci.spljaw/snake-jaws-connecting-structure-and-function/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“K20 LEARN | Glaciers: Here Today Gone Tomorrow?.” K20 LEARN, K20 Center, The University of Oklahoma, 19 Jul. 2022, https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/lesson/1326. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Interpreting Mattias' photos. Download a pdf of Mattias Klum's photographs to discuss using the questions found in the Vital Impacts Educator Resources for Mattias Klum.
Read and Discuss
Elitsa. “Palm Oil is Everywhere - But Where Did it Come From?” Science Journal for Kids and Teens, 19 Dec. 2016, https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/palm-oil-is-everywhere-but-where-did-it-come-from/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.