“A powerful documentary. Incredibly inspiring. A reminder that passion, creativity and tenacity build the muscle of hope.” — Veronica Chambers, The New York Times
WHY: Learn leadership lessons that are enduring, time- and temperature-tested, and dedicated to a better world.
For Earth Month 2024, join the CPL community and explorer Will Steger to explore positive actions now: we have everything we need to solve the climate crisis, right now, with solutions that match the scale and urgency of the problem. Start or accelerate your journey of climate action.
WHAT: A community “Watch Party.”
Join us on Zoom from the comfort of your home.
Will Steger will join us to introduce this powerful documentary.
CPL will convene a post-viewing community take-action conversation, with Paul Thompson, Founder, Cool Planet.
WHEN/AGENDA: Tuesday, April 23
7:00-7:15 Will Steger opening
7:15-9:00 movie
9:00-9:30 afterparty/community conversation
"A melted drop in Antarctica ripples throughout the rest of the world"
A journey across both poles, After Antarctica directed by Tasha Van Zandt follows polar explorer Will Steger's life journey as an eyewitness to the greatest changes to the polar regions of our planet. In 1989, Steger led an international team of six scientists and explorers on the first coast-to-coast dogsled traverse of Antarctica. The ultimate mission of the expedition was to draw global attention to Antarctica’s changing climate and use the expedition as a tool to renew the Antarctic Treaty, which would protect the continent from mineral exploitation.
Even with his background in science and knowledge of the changing climate, Steger could never have expected what he would soon discover. This arduous expedition opened his eyes to the most pressing issue of our time and ultimately changed the course of his life forever.
Now, thirty years later, Steger heads out on the ice once again, this time to the opposite end of the Earth, recounting the life-changing journey that led him to where he is today. After Antarctica is a film about a legendary expedition unlike any other - not only were Steger and his team of renegade explorers the first to complete this historic feat, but due to the melting of the ice on their original route, they were also the last.
2 leadership themes emerged:
What a small group can accomplish together. The Trans-Antartica expedition took 3 years to plan. The expedition’s goal was to draw worldwide attention to the perils the continent was facing and the impending threat of resolution of the Antarctic Treaty, limiting mineral exploitation. Will invited and worked with leaders from 5 countries, some that were “diplomatic enemies”—countries within the former Soviet Union, plus China Japan, and Britain—and work with leadership in these countries to reverse the treaty. “Our unified goal kept us singularly focused no matter the odds stacked against us.” - Will Steger
The power of a wilderness environment to create the conditions for breakthrough thinking. And you know, obviously the film goes back and forth. “The entire expedition resembled a mobile Zen monastery where survival demanded a mindset of freedom and intuitive awareness. Our days followed a meditative rhythm and strict regimen, guided by simplicity that mandated the elimination of all unnecessary elements. While this might seem arduous on the surface, I discovered an incredible freedom of thought, a state unburdened by the noise of everyday thinking. Traveling in this peaceful state during long hours confined in tents or traversing the harsh polar plateau fostered inspiration and creativity.” -Will Steger
TAKE ACTION to Accelerate Climate Change Solutions
EXPLORE: the organization founded by Will Steger: THE STEGER CENTER for Innovation and Leadership
DOWNLOAD: the DISCUSSION GUIDE
SUPPORT/DONATE:
After Antarctica is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent
The Steger Center
Cool Planet
Center for Purposeful Leadership
Become a CPL Community Builder Member
About Will Steger. Explorer. Visionary. Leader. Climate Actionist.
After Antarctica is an award-winning feature-length documentary directed by Tasha Van Zandt that follows renowned polar explorer Will Steger’s life journey as an eyewitness to the greatest changes in the polar regions of our planet. Now, thirty years after his historic expedition across the coldest continent on Earth, Steger is not only known for being the first in history to complete this historic feat – he is also the last.
A formidable voice calling for understanding and the preservation of the Arctic, and the Earth, Will Steger is best known for his legendary polar explorations. He has traveled tens of thousands of miles by kayak and dogsled over 50 years, leading teams on some of the most significant polar expeditions in history.
TAKE ACTION to Accelerate Climate Change Solutions
EXPLORE: the organization founded by Will Steger: THE STEGER CENTER for Innovation and Leadership
DOWNLOAD: the DISCUSSION GUIDE
SUPPORT/DONATE:
After Antarctica is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent
The Steger Center
Cool Planet
Center for Purposeful Leadership
Become a CPL Community Builder Member