Tasha Van Zandt

Much like MCEA’s other guest delegate, Tasha Van Zandt can trace her work as a documentary filmmaker back to polar explorer Will Steger, who she refers to as a “hometown hero.”

She can recall hearing tales of his “legendary conservation-focused expeditions” from a young age, and then came across a National Geographic magazine showcasing some of his expeditions. 

“I was immensely inspired by the otherworldly images and the way he used expeditions as a tool for international cooperation and … his platform as a means of effecting change,” Van Zandt said. 

His work served as catalyst for Van Zandt’s career as a filmmaker committed to documenting the natural world across all seven continents. 

Fast forward to years later when she finally got the chance to meet Steger after a talk he gave about his observations post his Trans-Antarctica expedition. That introduction was the impetus for After Antarctica, the documentary film Van Zandt directed about Steger’s “lifelong journey as an eyewitness to the greatest changes across both poles.” 

Van Zandt will present the film alongside her team and Steger at COP26.

“To be able to share Will’s story is such an incredible gift,” Van Zandt said. “I hope (it) can inspire others to take action and share their own eyewitness stories in the way it has for me.” 

“By making this film, I myself have come to understand that our own health as individuals and the health of our planet (are) all interconnected. We are nature,” Van Zandt continued. “After Antarctica is Will's own climate eyewitness story, but as the planet continues to change, we are all eyewitnesses now and the power of our stories can create incredible change.”