Expedition Greenland

Greenland’s Melting Ice Is Changing the Planet

One team of scientists and leaders is on a mission to understand some of the most rapidly changing landscapes in the world—and take action while there's still time.

Watch the Trailer

The cinematography achieves a rarity in documentary film: capturing the scale of Greenland ice.

– Jason Box, Ph.D., Glaciologist | Geological Survey of Denmark AND Greenland

About the Film

On Greenland’s remote shores, where some of Earth’s oldest ice sheets are rapidly disappearing, a team of scientists and leaders embark on an Arctic expedition to witness the front lines of sea-level rise. Led by NSU’s Rising Seas Institute and oceanographer John Englander, they travel across iceberg-filled waters from Ilulissat Icefjord to remote ranges of retreating glaicers, documenting dramatic ice loss and rarely seen transformations shaping global oceans and coastlines. As million-year-old ice fractures and meltwater surges to the ocean, the team confronts the scale and urgency of a crisis that could raise sea levels by over seven meters worldwide. Through firsthand observation with local experts, they explore the far-reaching consequences for coastal communities around the world. The journey leaves them transformed—and determined to build solutions for a more resilient future.

Join the Adventure

Follow in the footsteps of the the crew featured in Expedition Greenland.

NSU’s fact-finding Greenland expeditions offer immersive, expert-led explorations of the island’s legendary destinations and glacial landscapes. From Jakobshavn Glacier to the dazzling Eqi Glacier and the legendary Ilulissat Icefjord, experience an unforgettable Arctic journey across Greenland’s ice sheets—and leave inspired by all-new perspectives on global sea level rise.

Explore Greenland with NSU

Did You Know?

Greenland’s ice sheet is the second largest on Earth, containing enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by about seven meters (about 23 feet). It is melting at an accelerating pace.

From the Creators

PRODUCER'S STATEMENT

On a fact-finding expedition to Greenland, we watched one of the world’s most dramatic transformations happening right before us on the shores of the island. Traveling with sea-level rise expert John Englander and a group of ocean scientists and researchers from NSU, we witnessed the vast wonders of Greenland’s glaciers—and its accelerating melt that has the potential to change the world’s coastlines. Our goal was to produce a film that would capture both the scale of this transformation and the sense of adventure, beauty, and urgency it inspired.

At NSU in South Florida, we have a firsthand view of the transformations communities are undergoing in the face of sea-level rise. Many in our region are already adapting to new flood patterns and shifting coastlines. The fate of Greenland’s ice is directly tied to the lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure of coastal regions like ours, and this connection was central to our story.

Englander, an oceanographer, is one of the key voices in the film. He translates complex science through firsthand experience in a way that inspires activists and skeptics alike, connecting what we observed in Greenland to impacts across the globe. Standing before receding glaciers, calving icebergs, and meltwater streams, he illuminates the reality of a warming planet, the accelerating melt of ancient ice, and its broader implications.

From Ilulissat Icefjord to Saqqarliup Glacier, trekking across these sites was no simple task. Our crew and expedition team navigated iceberg-filled waters, traversed uninhabited terrain by ATV, and ventured by helicopter to observe the growing trails of meltwater moving across the ice. Capturing the sights, sounds, and scale of these vistas required detailed planning and execution, and we adapted to the unknowns of weather conditions that can rapidly change on the island.

Our hope is that audiences connect with the story of Greenland and sea-level rise beyond the lens of politics and the often-fraught themes of “climate science.” We invite viewers to experience the same sense of wonder, realization, and humility that shaped our journey, and to consider these issues facing our shared world in new and more open-minded ways.

Film Crew & Cast Bios

Luke Pavey

Director / Camera / Executive Producer

Pavey is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with more than 15 years of experience producing high-end, unscripted content for major broadcasters, including the BBC, Discovery, and Sky. Combining a wealth of creative and editorial experience with a strong technical skill set has allowed him to take films through all stages of production. He has filmed, produced, and directed a wide-range of unscripted shows in locations across the globe, from the frozen glaciers of Svalbard to arid deserts of Australia.

James Hale

Director / Drone Filming / Executive Producer

A multi-award-winning series producer and director, Hale has built a distinguished career crafting ambitious, story-driven, factual programming for broadcasters, including the BBC, Discovery, and S4C. His work spans acclaimed music documentaries exploring iconic artists, such as David Bowie and Public Enemy, as well as landmark history series, including “Firebombers” and the award-winning “Hidden Wales”. He combines cinematic storytelling with rigorous research, bringing depth, energy, and a distinctive visual style to every production.

John Englander

Co-Founder of the Rising Seas Institute

John Englander is the co-founder of The Rising Seas Institute, which is dedicated to advancing adaptation to rising sea levels through improved understanding of science, engineering, economics, and risk. Englander—a prominent oceanographer, author, and international speaker—is recognized as a leading expert on sea-level rise and its long-term impacts on society. His explorations to Greenland and Antarctica with his marine science background allow him to analyze the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on society.

Dr. Harry K. Moon

President and Chief Executive Officer of NSU

Dr. Harry K. Moon, president and chief executive officer of NSU, is an internationally recognized plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He previously served as chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Governors of Cleveland Clinic Florida. Since taking office in January 2025, he has lead NSU to dual distinction as both a Carnegie R1 "Very High Research Activity" university and a Carnegie opportunity university. Dr. Moon is leveraging NSU’s leadership in marine science, coral restoration, and ocean–human health to elevate its climate and resilience work, advancing Florida’s blue economy and expanding the university’s impact nationally and globally.

Katherine O'Fallon

Executive Director of the Marine Research Hub of South Florida

Katherine O'Fallon is a prominent marine scientist and educator and the executive director of the Marine Research Hub of South Florida. She leads efforts to raise the visibility, reputation, and prestige of South Florida’s oceanographic research institutions. Her work has strengthened workforce development, drives innovation, and accelerates job growth to power South Florida’s blue economy.

Kyle Fisher

Producer / VP of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services at NSU

Fisher leads Nova Southeastern University in brand strategy, marketing, and communications. Previously, she was vice president for public relations and marketing at Robert Morris University.

Greenland is of critical importance to us all. It is such a special environment. What transpires here will have a direct effect throughout the world.

– Dr. Harry K. Moon | President and Chief Executive Officer of NSU