About Sebastian Copeland

Sebastian Copeland, a British-French-American, is a world-renowned polar explorer, climate researcher, environmentalist, photographer, and author. With a career that has seen him lead 27 polar missions, Copeland’s commitment to environmental protection and his relentless pursuit of a sustainable future have shaped his life's work. Combining his skills as a climber and mountaineer with a passion for polar exploration, Copeland uses visual arts as a powerful tool to document and inspire social change, bringing the beauty and vulnerability of Earth’s polar regions to global audiences.

Copeland's work has been widely celebrated and featured in National Geographic, Vanity Fair, GQ, Marie Claire, Elle, Outside, American Photo, The New York Times, People Magazine, USA Today, and Paris Match, as well as on NBC, CBS, NPR, and CNN’s Larry King Live. Through his expeditions and photography, he captures the transformative changes happening in these fragile regions, urging immediate action on climate issues.

In his polar exploration career, Copeland achieved a Guinness World Record for covering 595 kilometers in a single day, a feat that highlighted both his resilience and skill in navigating some of the world’s harshest environments. His exceptional talent has also earned him the International Photographer of the Year award in 2024 and three additional honors at the International Photography Awards in 2006 and 2007, including Professional Photographer of the Year for his bestselling book Antarctica: The Global Warning.

As an author, Copeland has published several influential works that underscore the critical importance of environmental conservation. His recent publications include Antarctica: The Waking Giant (2020), offering a profound exploration of the Antarctic landscape and the pressing challenges it faces due to climate change. Another notable work, Polar Explorations: To the Ends of the Earth (2022), provides an immersive look into the art of polar travel, combining stunning visuals with insightful narratives to inspire a deeper appreciation for these remote regions.

In addition to his literary and photographic achievements, Copeland is a dedicated climate advocate. He has addressed the United Nations, government bodies, universities, and Fortune 500 companies, highlighting the systemic transformations taking place in the polar regions and their geopolitical consequences. His activism has earned him a seat on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Branch of Mikhail Gorbachev's Green Cross International and for Shine On Sierra Leone. In recognition of his environmental efforts, he was awarded the National Order of Merit by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2019.

Sebastian’s explorations, including his 27 polar missions, serve as powerful platforms for raising awareness about climate change, inspiring audiences worldwide to understand and protect our planet’s most vulnerable regions. Through his compelling imagery, daring expeditions, and commitment to conservation, Sebastian Copeland continues to champion a sustainable future, reminding us of our collective responsibility to safeguard the Earth for generations to come.

About Eric McNair-Landry

Eric McNair-Landry is a distinguished Canadian adventurer and filmmaker renowned for his extraordinary polar expeditions and commitment to environmental conservation. Raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Eric grew up in a family of Arctic explorers—his parents, Matty McNair and Paul Landry, are respected polar guides who instilled in him a deep appreciation for the natural world and a passion for adventure from an early age.

Eric’s achievements include multiple crossings of Greenland’s ice cap. In the 2010 season, Eric joined Sebastian Copeland on a mission that set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled in 24 hours, a testament to their teamwork and resilience. The following year, during the 2011-2012 season, Eric and Sebastian embarked on one of their most ambitious adventures: a 4,100-kilometer journey across Antarctica. This expedition pushed the limits of human endurance and showcased their expertise in navigating the planet's harshest conditions.

Beyond exploration, Eric is a passionate advocate for environmental preservation and the promotion of Inuit culture. He co-founded Pittarak Expeditions with Sarah to inspire youth to connect with the outdoors and foster an appreciation for the Arctic ecosystem. In 2013, he led the "Qajaqtuqtut Expedition," during which he and his team built traditional Inuit-style kayaks and undertook a 1,000-kilometer journey across Baffin Island. This project aimed to revive interest in Inuit kayaking traditions and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Eric’s work has been featured in National Geographic, where he was named an Adventurer of the Year in 2007. His expeditions have also inspired documentaries and educational programs, emphasizing the importance of protecting polar regions and addressing climate change.

Through his groundbreaking expeditions and dedication to cultural and environmental advocacy, Eric McNair-Landry continues to inspire others to explore and protect the world’s most fragile and remote landscapes.

About Greenland

Greenland, the world's largest island, is an awe-inspiring, icy expanse located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Although geographically part of North America, Greenland is politically and culturally associated with Europe, specifically as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Covering an area of over 2.1 million square kilometers, Greenland’s landscape is dominated by vast ice sheets, dramatic fjords, and rugged mountain ranges, with around 80% of its landmass blanketed by ice.

The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second largest in the world, after Antarctica, and holds about 8% of Earth’s freshwater. It plays a crucial role in global climate systems, reflecting sunlight and helping to regulate temperatures worldwide. However, due to climate change, Greenland is experiencing rapid ice melt, contributing to rising sea levels and impacting both regional and global ecosystems.

Greenland’s population is small, with around 56,000 residents, most of whom are of Inuit descent and live along the island's coastlines, where the climate is milder and fishing is plentiful. Traditional Inuit culture, deeply connected to the land and sea, remains strong, though Greenland is evolving as it embraces modern industries like tourism and mining. The capital, Nuuk, is Greenland’s largest city and an emerging cultural hub, hosting museums, art galleries, and annual festivals that celebrate both Inuit traditions and modern Greenlandic identity.

The island’s unique environment and remote beauty attract adventurers and scientists from around the world. For explorers like Sebastian Copeland, Greenland offers both a challenging landscape and a poignant reminder of our planet’s fragility in the face of climate change.