Ellesmere Island Expedition – 2008

In March 2008, an international team of six emerging leaders, ages 21-28, joined Will Steger on a 1,400-mile dogsled expedition across Ellesmere Island. Hailing from four countries: Norway, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, the young team followed in the footsteps of legendary polar explorers and journeyed to the remains of the summer sea ice and ice sheets on the brink of collapse. Traveling through the dramatic scenery of the far north the expedition team recorded a youth eyewitness perspective on the impact global warming has had on the northern coast of the third largest and northernmost island in the Canadian Arctic.

The 2008 Ellesmere Island Expedition inspired and mobilized the new generation of adventurers and eyewitnesses to global warming by capitalizing on the excitement, authenticity, and adventure of Will Steger’s expeditions to create interest, and action on climate change. Weekly dispatches from team members provided authentic reflections on climate change from a generational perspective and created a powerful role model for their peers.

Expedition Copenhagen – 2009

Will Steger Foundation undertook a year-long focus on the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the goal of supporting youth climate leadership to increase public awareness and investment in US participation.

Expedition Copenhagen delegates were recruited through contacts made on The Longest Summer Tour and through partnerships with organizations such as Global Exchange in Michigan and Indigenous Environmental Network in North Dakota, members of the Midwest Climate Strategy Coalition.