After he graduated from Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu in 1950, Linkola studied biology for half a year, then became a researcher. He lived in Signilskär in the Åland Islands and made ornithological observations. Although he was one of Finland's most famous ornithologists, Linkola gave up his research career to live an austere life as a fisherman, as this was in line with his teachings. He was involved in the Koijärvi Movement that started in 1979, but his views proved too radical for mainstream Green politics.