The sustainability themes explored in the series align with real-world initiatives showcased in the Middle East, including The Sustainable City, a development pioneered by SEE Holding.
National Geographic has unveiled Pole to Pole with Will Smith, a large-scale documentary series that follows the actor and producer across all seven continents on a 100-day journey combining exploration, science and environmental storytelling, with filming linked to sustainability themes reflected in projects such as the UAE’s The Sustainable City.
Five years in the making, the series tracks Smith from Antarctica to the Arctic, passing through the Amazon rainforest, the Himalayas, African deserts and Pacific islands.
Inspired by his late mentor, Smith undertakes a series of extreme challenges while exploring what National Geographic describes as “life’s big questions” about humanity’s relationship with the planet.
The program features Smith skiing toward the South Pole, diving beneath Arctic ice at the North Pole, climbing remote mountains and taking part in wildlife encounters under expert supervision.
Along the way, he works with scientists and explorers on research missions and meets Indigenous communities, including the Waorani people of the Amazon and the San community of the Kalahari, whose traditional knowledge and resilience are central to the series’ narrative.
National Geographic said the project blends cinematic storytelling with cutting-edge science, aiming to highlight environmental change while emphasizing human connection and adaptation. The broadcaster described the series as a “once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” combining bold exploration with scientific discovery and cultural exchange.
The sustainability themes explored in the series align with real-world initiatives showcased in the Middle East, including The Sustainable City, a development pioneered by SEE Holding. Launched in Dubai in 2015, The Sustainable City is positioned as a working model for future urban living, designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions while improving quality of life.
According to its developers, the Dubai community enables residents to reduce their emissions footprint by up to 78 percent and divert up to 85 percent of waste from landfills, through renewable energy, water and waste recycling systems, eco-friendly construction and shared mobility solutions. The development has been named the “happiest community” in the Gulf, reflecting its emphasis on wellbeing and community engagement.
Following its Dubai launch, The Sustainable City concept has been expanded across the UAE, including projects in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, and internationally, with developments such as The Sustainable City – Yiti in Oman. SEE Holding says the model is designed to be scalable and adaptable, offering a blueprint for net-zero, future-ready cities worldwide.
National Geographic said Pole to Pole with Will Smith seeks to connect such sustainability efforts with global environmental challenges, using storytelling to underscore how science, community knowledge and innovation could shape the planet’s future.
