Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Polar explorer, climate analyst, fine art photographer. Founded SEDNA Foundation to analyse the impact of systemic transformations in the polar regions on geoeconomics and geopolitical systems. Named one of the top 25 adventurers of the last 25 years (Men's Journal 2017) Led multiple polar expeditions notably: - two men expedition to the North Pole walking 700 km over 37 days. - kite-skied 2300 km of Greenland's length, setting a world record for the longest distance traveled over 24 hours (595 km). - Kite-skied 4,100 km unsupported for the first east/west transcontinental crossing of Antarctica via two Poles (Pole of Inaccessibility & South Pole) opening a never before skied route . - Crossed the Australian Simpson desert on foot and without assistance. Sebastian was named five times Photographer of the Year for his books: IPA(2024,2016&2007)and TIFA(2016&2020). Published author of six monograms including a magnum opus polar trilogy that includes: The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White (2024); Polar Expeditions (2022): Antarctica: The Waking Giant (2020), all with Rizzoli Publishing, with forewords including Dr.Jane Goodall, Leonardo DiCaprio, President Mikhail Gorbachev, Richard Branson. Regular feature writer - Men's Journal magazine, Huffington Post & int'l media. Produced two documentaries: "Into The Cold" chronicling his North Pole mission, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival (2011), named by the Hollywood Reporter "one of the five Must-See films of the festival". "Across The Ice" (2015) follows his record setting Greenland crossing, co-produced by Red Bull Media House. 15 years on the Board of directors of President Gorbachev's environmental NGO Global Green USA. Founding member of Artists for Amazonia (off shoot of Amazon Watch). Fellow of the Explorers Club, member of the International Glaciology Society and the American Polar Society. Bambi Award winner in Germany (2018) in the "Our Earth" category. Knighted by French President Macron (2019) in the National Order of Merit, and National Order of Arts&Letters . Keynote speaker at conferences, colleges and museums globally about climate impact on the polar regions and the urgent need to de-segment ecology and economy. Spoke at the UN & many fortune 500 companies, including Google, Apple, HP, VF Group, BMW. Sebastian also delivers visual and impactful motivational presentations linking the expedition and corporate ethos with his universal laws of success. “Sebastian [...] hearing from people like you inspires us as we continue working towards a brighter future.” — President Barack Obama
The SEDNA Foundation is the research and consulting arm of Sebastian Copeland's climate advocacy. SEDNA specializes in the interaction of climate change on socio economics and socio politics. Our office analyses the confluence of disruptions from climate and technology on population density, labor markets and demographics. SEDNA works to alert, educate and influence attitudes and policy to help stir a robust shift toward a sustainable market.