Why we are living in the 'greatest era of exploration’
After the astounding Endurance discovery, the National Geographic Society CEO shares how diverse perspectives and innovative technologies are shaping the future of exploration.
The discovery of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance—this issue’s cover story—marks an extraordinary milestone in global exploration, a testament to humanity’s relentless curiosity and the ingenuity that drives us forward. While some may see such remarkable findings as relics of a bygone era, I believe they illustrate that we are, in fact, living in the greatest era of exploration.
What is driving this new age of discovery? Humankind is advancing knowledge in ways and places that were thought impossible a century ago. At the National Geographic Society, we are funding a global community of Explorers who are developing innovative technologies to map the ocean floor, trace humanity’s origins, identify new species—and potentially even communicate with them. Explorer David Gruber and his Project CETI team, for instance, are leveraging AI to decode sperm whale communication, a revolutionary leap that could redefine our connection to the natural world.
(These images were almost lost to icy waters—instead they made the Endurance crew legends.)
The faces of exploration are also changing. Today’s most impactful advancements come from blending diverse talents and perspectives. The experts assembled for the Endurance expedition represent a multitude of countries and disciplines—a collaborative feat that would have been unimaginable in Shackleton’s time. And you no longer have to travel the globe to explore! Digital platforms are inviting billions of people to join expeditions virtually and be a part of the story.
These advances couldn’t come at a more critical time, as we grapple with enormous global challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change. Today Explorers aren’t just studying our world; they’re racing to protect it. Explorer Gina Moseley, featured in this issue, not only led the first ever expedition to Greenland’s northernmost caves, but her research on shifting climate conditions will also improve our understanding of how Earth will respond to climate change.
Explorer at Large Bob Ballard, the renowned discoverer of the Titanic, said it best: “The next generation is going to explore more of Earth than all previous generations combined. The age of exploration is not in our past; it’s in the future.”
Each of us can be a knowledge seeker, boundary breaker, and changemaker for our planet. Will you dare to explore?
