In a new series exploring the world from Pole To Pole, Nat Geo not only shares the environments you may never see, this particular episode discovers a new form of energy: arctic phytoplankton. Scientist/Oceanographer Allison Fong  found that they can photosynthesize and hold to energy longer than ever thought possible. This incredible find is invaluable because, by seeing change in phytoplankton, they can predict what the future holds when ice melts.

I know, I know. Lots to absorb, so just enjoy the brilliant footage and the story of the expedition.

Phytoplankton samples under a microscope aboard La Commandant Charcoat. (credit: National Geographic)

In short, this phytoplankton discovery under the North Pole helps scientists predict the future of the planet in regards to a newly discovered energy source.

Phytoplankton samples under a microscope aboard La Commandant Charcoat. (credit: National Geographic)

Premiering on 1/13 on Nat Geo, it streams on Disney+ and Hulu the following day

Tom Williams, the show runner, was invaluable giving insight into this episode.

To capture this incredible sojourn, they mixed ARRI Alexas, Sony Venices, and REDs, alongside Shotover rigs, traditional drones, and FPV drones.

Using pretty much every mount imaginable—many of them custom-built and 3D-printed—to get shots pushing through hundreds of miles of sea ice toward the North Pole.

La Commandant Charcoat breaks through the Arctic Ice heading for the North Pole. (credit: National Geographic)

La Commandant Charcoat cuts through the field ice in the Arctic. (credit: National Geographic)

You will be awed by the footage captured as the ice breaking ship, La Commandant Charcoat, makes it way to the North Pole, and the critical dive for samples.

Allison caught Nat Geos attention years ago through a project called MOSAiC, where scientists intentionally froze a research vessel into Arctic ice and lived there for six months. Pretty crazy, and that alone told them she was someone special.

She was challenged to help the team do something equally ambitious. Her work—alongside a much larger scientific community—is part of urgent, ongoing research into life within Arctic sea ice. This isn’t theoretical. By 2050, Arctic summer sea ice may disappear entirely, fundamentally changing the ecosystem it supports. Capturing that life now matters.

 This expedition was one of the hardest things they attempted in this series.

First, Alli had to dive under meter-thick ice at the North Pole to collect samples—already an extreme risk. Once collected, the organisms only live for a couple of days. The clock was immediately ticking.

Expedition Leader and Oceanographer Allison Fong prepares to dive under the Arctic Ice in search of samples. (credit: National Geographic)

Microscopic filming requires absolute stillness. Unfortunately, the lab was on an icebreaker smashing through sheet ice for hundreds of miles, shaking the ship constantly. The workaround was ingenious: a webcam on the bow, monitored from the lab, watching for a break in the ice—sometimes just seconds of calm water. When that moment came, everything had to be ready.

It worked just enough times to get what they needed.

At the North Pole, the crew was stripped down to one main drone operator, one assistant, and six drones—traditional and FPV.

And under the ice? Just one camera diver. That kind of diving is a highly specialized skill, and the risks increase exponentially with more people. The rule was simple: if one person had a problem, everyone surfaced immediately. So we trusted one extraordinary cameraman to carry that responsibility. No pressure at all.

There was no control room in the traditional sense—but kit maintenance became mission-critical. Being thousands of miles from manufacturers or repair shops, so the camera team worked around the clock. Conditions changed constantly. Blue skies could turn into zero-visibility blizzards in minutes. Everything had to be ready to roll at a moment’s notice.

And the to capture the phytoplankton, the microscopist, Jan van Ijken, is a master of his craft. He’s filmed phytoplankton many times—but never in the high Arctic, and never while setting up a microscopy lab on a moving icebreaker. He’s described it as one of the most difficult challenges of his career. There were moments he wasn’t sure it would work. Thankfully, dedication and patience won.

Nat Geo will always go deep and not only show you incredible images, but give you a world view as well.