AUCKLAND — Air New Zealand is shining a global spotlight on Antarctica, today launching its latest safety video, which showcases the frozen continent and the important climate and environmental science underway there.

Featuring Hollywood actor, filmmaker and environmentalist Adrian Grenier, the World’s Coolest Safety Video takes viewers on a breath-taking journey to Antarctica, where Kiwi scientists are tackling the most pressing questions on global climate change.

Building on Air New Zealand’s long-standing partnership with Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute, the video sees Grenier team up with Scott Base scientists to track penguin populations, study ice core samples and visit early explorer Ernest Shackleton’s hut and the vast Dry Valleys.

UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Grenier, whose environmental work also includes co-founding ocean conservation non-profit Lonely Whale, says it was a privilege to partner with Air New Zealand and Antarctica New Zealand on the video project.

“This safety video highlights Air New Zealand’s support of the scientists striving to make discoveries that are going to help humanity –a cause which aligns with my own commitment to the environment. To know the airline is doing its job to help us understand how climate change is going to affect us is something that is very important to me.”

To minimise the environmental impact of filming, a total crew of just six travelled to Antarctica, with Scott Base scientists and staff doubling as supporting talent in the safety video. The airline has also released television and online content, providing a more in-depth look at Antarctica and the work being done there.

One of Antarctica New Zealand’s key mandates is to raise awareness of Antarctica and the research taking place there. Chief Executive Officer Peter Beggs says the safety video project is an incredible opportunity to profile Kiwi Antarctic science around the world.

“Air New Zealand’s safety videos have collectively attracted more than 130 million online views. Our teams are thrilled to have such a significant global platform to amplify their work and we’re confident it will take our outreach efforts to the next level.”

22 students aged eight to ten years old from Christchurch’s Hornby Primary School also play a starring role, appearing in footage shot in Canterbury Museum’s Antarctic Gallery. Christchurch has been a gateway to Antarctica for more than 100 years and the museum holds an internationally significant collection of artefacts from early expeditions.

Air New Zealand Global Head of Brand and Content Marketing Jodi Williams says the airline has supported Antarctic science for close to a decade, and an important focus for its partnership is the three-year Biological Resilience Project. “Multiple teams of researchers are investigating ecosystems on land and water in the Ross Sea area. The goal is to build a monitoring network to understand how rapidly the impacts of environmental change expected in a warming world may play out. “We are incredibly proud to contribute to this world-class research and are confident the safety video project will encourage millions of people to reflect on the role they can play to minimise their own impact on our environment.”