Embarking on a two-year global expedition that was planning to circle the planet twice, Andi Cross wasn’t chasing a vacation. She didn’t quit her day job to wander carefree paths or consult influencers’ Instagram feeds for idyllic top ten destinations. Instead, she pursued something grittier, more raw, and far from glamorous: the untold narratives of ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change—and the people dedicating their lives to protecting them. These unsung heroes, laboring on the frontlines of one of humanity’s greatest challenges, often work without recognition or applause. Cross set out to change that.
The Edges of Earth Collective—part expedition team, part production studio, part consulting business—launched in early spring 2023. Its ambitious kickoff? A journey to over 50 countries and 100+ destinations across all seven continents. Leading the charge were Cross, a seasoned growth strategist from New York with years of experience at top global agencies, and her partner Adam Moore, a financial and operational expert with a decade at Australia’s “Big Four” accounting firms. At first glance, they seemed an unlikely duo to undertake a world-spanning mission to document the climate crisis.
But for Cross, expertise wasn’t a barrier to action. “Everyone has a role to play in addressing the greatest existential threat of our time,” she says. Her own awakening began after she moved from New York City to Perth, Western Australia. Becoming a professional scuba diver exposed her to the ocean’s majesty and fragility, inspiring a commitment to conservation. Seeing what was worth protecting—and what was at risk—spurred the pair to act. With Cross’ strategic vision and Moore’s operational rigor, they orchestrated this multi-year expedition.
Cross brought to the venture five years of experience working with emerging nonprofits in the ocean sector, on top of her corporate background. During this time, she noticed a glaring gap in environmental storytelling. Striking images and sweeping videos of natural beauty might inspire awe, but they rarely delved into the human element. The question, “Who are the people protecting these places?” became her focus. A year of rigorous research followed—mapping hotspots, identifying key species aggregations, and pinpointing remote regions and urban hubs alike that were riddled with conservation efforts, but many that were far from in the spotlight.
Cold outreach to stakeholders was the final piece of a meticulous plan designed to amplify the voices and stories of those on the ground.
“We need to change the way we tell ocean stories,” Cross says. “The advocacy methods that worked in the past were groundbreaking, but the world has changed. To reach more people, we need storytelling that’s human, relatable, and scalable across platforms. It’s about making these stories connect not only deeply, but widely.”
The Origins of Edges of Earth
The seeds of the Edges of Earth Collective were planted while Cross was living in New York, immersed in the fast-paced worlds of consulting and startup creation. Alongside her day job at leading firms, Cross served as Strategist in Residence at H/L Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to mission-driven startups. Working closely with visionary founders tackling global challenges, she sharpened her ability to craft strategies that could drive change for both people and the planet. Collaborators like Oliver Libby and Galina Ozgur played a pivotal role in shaping her perspective on how business, when aligned with purpose, could catalyze lasting impact.
In 2019, Cross made a bold move to Australia, driven by a desire to connect with the natural world. While New York was an ideal launchpad for innovation, it lacked the immediate proximity to oceans and reefs needed to pursue her goal of becoming a professional scuba diver
—a personal mission to better understand what’s at stake in conservation. Immersed in Australia’s marine community, she found herself surrounded by divers, conservationists, and researchers whose stories were inspiring but largely unknown.
Yet, as Cross went deeper, she uncovered a troubling reality. Many individuals and grassroots organizations working tirelessly to protect both land and sea were doing so in isolation, without the resources or platforms needed to amplify their efforts. Conservation storytelling, while impactful, often revolved around a handful of large organizations or iconic individual heroes, leaving smaller but equally vital work overlooked. This imbalance struck a nerve.
That realization became the catalyst for Edges of Earth. Cross envisioned it as more than just a consulting business—it would be a field-based team, rooted in storytelling for the modern age. Its mission? To illuminate the realities of a planet in crisis and elevate the voices of those often unheard, while painting a fuller picture of conservation in action.
A New Way of Storytelling
Edges of Earth isn’t about creating polished, overly curated content. Instead, Cross and a team of eight collaborators focus on capturing stories that are raw, real, and authentic. The approach is deliberate. “We’re not aiming for perfection,” says Cross. “The ocean, the land, it’s not perfect, and neither are the people working to save it. Right now, no one can be ‘climate perfect’—it’s impossible. What makes these stories powerful is their honesty: the struggles, the setbacks, the wins, and what the planet truly looks like. It’s messy, chaotic, and imperfect. That’s what makes nature so special—and so amazing to explore.”
The expedition aims to spotlight outliers—the best examples of conservation in action. From grassroots organizations combating marine debris to individuals rallying their communities, the team works with nonprofit founders, indigenous leaders, dive operators, athletes, academics, scientists, and activists driving change. In 2023, their journey took them through the Pacific Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. By 2024, they shifted to the Americas, completing an extensive overland drive through Central America from Panama to the Yucatan
Peninsula, before exploring the USA and Canada. Their path then led to Europe, the Middle East, and East Africa. Now, in 2025, the team is kicking off a new chapter, starting in New Zealand and Indonesia with a packed itinerary set to last through the year.
A central pillar of Edges of Earth’s mission is reframing the narrative around both land and sea conservation. Instead of solely spotlighting grim realities like coral bleaching, devastating logging, natural resource extraction, collapsing fish stocks, and acidifying waters, the team focuses on solutions. “We know the problems are dire,” Cross says. “But constant doom and gloom can leave people feeling helpless. Instead, we want to highlight progress—no matter how small. These wins give people hope, a reason to engage, and maybe even inspire new career paths or a deeper desire to explore the world.”
Inclusive storytelling is another cornerstone of the team’s work. They prioritize the voices of vulnerable communities and individuals on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Women, youth, and elders are often at the heart of their stories, offering unique perspectives shaped by years of experience or fresh, optimistic ideas for the future. Elders share the changes they’ve witnessed and potential solutions, while youth often offer bold, imaginative approaches to tackling challenges.
While the name “Edges of Earth” might evoke images of remote destinations, Cross is clear that the philosophy is more about a mindset than geography. To travel to the edges of the earth means traveling consciously—leaving a place better than you found it, giving back to those in need, and contributing using your unique skills and experiences.
“For us, storytelling is about offering a first-person perspective,” says Adam Moore. “We strive to be as non-extractive as possible.” The team sees themselves as a vessel for amplifying stories, not as the storytellers themselves. “We work with amazing partners and collaborators who share firsthand accounts from the people we meet. That way, their voices are heard directly, and we help bring those stories to the world,” Moore explains. For instance, during their upcoming work in New Zealand, the team will live onsite with indigenous communities who have a longstanding connection to the land and sea—stories that are theirs to share, not to be told on their behalf.
This immersive approach is at the heart of the Edges of Earth ethos. The team lives onsite with local partners, forging connections and maximizing the time spent understanding their narratives. Recently, during a month-long chapter in East Africa, they collaborated with the Elewana Collective and Land & Life Foundation to learn how businesses can create opportunities that benefit both conservation and local communities. This experience was a prime example of going deeper with partners, getting closer to their stories, and sharing the heart and soul of a very special place on earth.
A Collective Effort
The Edges of Earth team works closely with local partners, not as distant observers but as active collaborators. Their efforts are bolstered by an impressive lineup of global partnerships that have
proven highly impactful. As the first-ever brand ambassadors for the 50-year-old dive agency Scuba Schools International (SSI), the team has also partnered with the iconic dive gear provider Scubapro. They’ve forged a scientific advisory partnership with the Marine Conservation Institute, where Sarah Hameed, Director of Blue Parks, guides them to world-class examples of marine protected areas. Additionally, the team is set to collaborate with Oceanic Global in the coming year, an authority on ocean conservation worldwide.
Edges of Earth is also carrying an expedition flag from The Explorers Club, symbolizing their contribution to the advancement of human knowledge—this recognition proving the depth and significance of their mission.
As the expedition progresses, Cross is optimistic about the ripple effects their storytelling will create. Each location they explore generates content shared across nine platforms, amplifying the voices of ocean stewards to a global audience. By the end of 2025, the team plans to present their findings and experiences at the UN Ocean Conference, Climate Week, and COP30. These moments will celebrate the often-overlooked efforts of those on the frontlines of ocean conservation, inspiring others to join the movement toward a healthier, more just planet.
“This has not been an easy journey by any means,” Cross reflects. “We’ve been battered by the realities of a planet in decline. Long days in the field, sleepless nights, and endless hurdles— from logistics to team dynamics to health challenges—have tested us at every turn. But the relentless pursuit continues. We can’t wait to share what we’ve learned from the edges with the world.”
Edges of Earth is more than a journey to remote and breathtaking locations; it’s a journey into the heart of what makes conservation possible: the people who dedicate their lives to protecting something bigger than themselves. Through their stories, Andi Cross, Adam Moore, and their team are building a bridge between those tirelessly fighting for the planet and those ready to join the cause.
