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Risan Studies
Multi-Media Educational Programs in Climate Science and Sustainability.
Risan Studies elevates communities with global perspectives through nuanced multi-media educational programs centered around environmental studies and climate science.
Paired with film screenings and Q&A discussions, Risan Studies sets up multi-media basecamp with adventurous glaciological research methodologies, renewable energy case studies and sustainability.
The Cresta Alta Film Tour
The Cresta Alta Film Tour is engaging audiences throughout the US and features Risan Media's expedition-based climate change documentary film titled, Cresta Alta, that chronicles a journey to Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru to document glaciological research expeditions and sustainability.
The screenings are followed by Risan Studies' community sustainability panel discussions and a Q&A with environmental filmmaker and socially-conscious musician, Todd Anders Johnson, who studied development issues at the University of Washington. With a foundational perspective that more sustainable policies are imperative and that there are effective renewable and sustainable options to employ regionally, nationally and globally, Todd has dedicated himself to the arts in creating entertaining and educational film, music and events.
The 2026 Cresta Alta Film Tour features partnerships and panelists from Remain Nantucket, Colorado State Senator Dylan Roberts, a video message from Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr and Colorado House Representative Juli McCluskie, the Nantucket Land and Water Council, the Town of Breckenridge's Sustainability Office, the Truro Climate Action Committee, the Town of Nantucket, the Dennis Conservation Land Trust, Innovative Energy, The Trustees, Sustainable CAPE, The Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, the Wellfleet Oyster Alliance, the Adam Palmer Sustainability Fund, the Town of Vail Environmental Sustainability Department, the Woodwell Climate Research Center, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Town of Barnstable Sustainability Office, the Wellfleet Climate Action and Energy Committee, High Country Conservation Center, Friends of the Bass River and the Friends of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, the Wellfleet Conservation Trust, Center for Coastal Studies, Cisco Brewers, the Town of Fairplay, the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative, Mountain Area Land Trust, Colorado Mountain Solar, Cape and Island Self Reliance, Blue River Watershed Group, the Town of Falmouth, the Adam Palmer Sustainability Fund, the High Rockies Community School, See Me Compost, Wonder Forest, the Alma Recycling Program, the Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council, the Alma Zero Waste Committeeand the Town of Silverthorne Sustainability Office.
As communities across the nation face reduced funding resources paired with the deconstruction of environmental and climate science organizations, the Cresta Alta Film Tour is a timely forum of entertainment, education and community engagement around climate science, sustainability and resilience.
As the filming of the project unfurled, Johnson said he began to draw similarities between these initiatives and wanted the film to also highlight some of the sustainability solutions that were happening in these regions alongside the reality of how climate change was impacting these areas. One example is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded program in Huaraz, Peru, using bio-remediation to clean river water of heavy metals occurring due to deglaciation. The expeditions and their findings highlighted in the film showcase the critical roles of scientific programs and the need for continued research funding. Alongside the film, Johnson has launched the Cresta Alta Film Tour, engaging with arts councils, colleges, high schools and museums by providing a screening of the film to communities across the United States, followed by a post-film Q&A.
The Flume, By Meryl Phair
In Cresta Alta, Todd takes a more urgent approach, following scientists as they study glaciers and observe firsthand the rapid changes happening to these ecosystems. “Cresta Alta was an adventure story, a research expedition, and a personal journey all in one,” Todd said. “I wanted to tell the story of these scientists and show how their research is helping us understand the very real effects of climate change. It’s all about trying to make the science more accessible, but also making it emotionally compelling, so people can understand why this is so important.”
The Risan Project Tour: Todd Johnson Brings Environmental Advocacy to Fairbanks:
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Sun Star, By Amber McCain
Cresta Alta Field Guide
Risan Studies has developed the Cresta Alta Field Guide which is included in screenings of Cresta Alta film screenings and assists viewers in understanding the terminology and research methodology featured in Cresta Alta.
Risan Studies' Todd Anders Johnson
Todd Anders Johnson is an environmental filmmaker, educator, socially-conscious musician and snowboard mountaineer. With the Risan Brands’ family of companies, Todd merges his passions for the environment, the arts and outdoor recreation. Todd studied international development at the University of Washington. With the foundational perspective that more sustainable policies are imperative and that there are effective renewable and resilient options to employ regionally, nationally and globally, Todd has dedicated himself to the arts in creating entertaining and educational films, events and music.
With Risan Media, Todd produced and directed Cresta Alta, a feature length climate science and sustainability documentary that he filmed in Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru.
Cresta Alta will be broadcast on several PBS TV stations around the country this summer including KLCS in Los Angeles, RMPBS and RMPBS+ in Colorado and WPBS in New York and Ontario, Canada.
The Risan Project has produced film screening events paired with panel discussions and multi-media concert tours throughout North America. The Risan Project's Cresta Alta Film Tour has been engaging audiences throughout Colorado, Alaska, Vermont, Kansas City, Cape Cod and Nantucket at theaters, museums, colleges and high schools.
Risan Studies elevates communities with global perspectives through nuanced multi-media educational programs centered around environmental studies and climate science. Paired with film screenings and Q&A discussions, Risan Studies sets up multi-media basecamp with adventurous glaciological research methodologies, renewable energy case studies and sustainability.
Todd is the drummer, vocalist and songwriter for the Colorado-based socially-conscious band, Salem, which has toured with multi-media concert and film tours that the Risan Project has produced throughout North America. With his powder-hound band, Todd has prioritized the powder highways of Alaska, British Columbia and the Lower 48 at festivals, colleges, concert venues and with guiding companies, snowsport conventions and competitive snowsport competitions. Salem has soundtracks with a variety of outdoor brands and with ski and snowboard film companies.
Todd has taught drumming, percussion, ethnomusicology, rock band and digital media throughout Seattle, Arizona and Colorado at high schools, colleges and after-school youth programs. He as served on the board of directors with Rock-School and Iamedia in Seattle and has helped to produce fundraising concert events with youth programs.
Todd’s passions for exploring big mountains brought him from Vermont to Seattle and then Alaska, where his first of many tours and expeditions began throughout the glaciated state. Todd now lives with his family high in the mountains of Colorado.
Risan Studies Press
'Cresta Alta' glacier documentary tours Cape Cod and Nantucket
'Cresta Alta' glacier documentary tours Cape Cod and Nantucket
Yahoo! News – (April 15, 2026) A documentary exploring glacier research and climate change impacts across four countries will be screened during a weeklong series of public events on Cape Cod and Nantucket in April, according to a community announcement. Read the full story here.
From Alaska to the Andes, "Cresta Alta" documents a changing planet
From Alaska to the Andes, "Cresta Alta" documents a changing planet
By Kendall Graham, April 16, 2026
What happens when the world’s most extreme environments start to shift?
Environmental filmmaker Todd Anders Johnson followed scientists and climate experts across three continents to understand what climate change actually looks like up close.
Johnson directed the feature documentary film “Cresta Alta,” which explores a journey to Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru to document glaciological research expeditions and sustainability efforts.
It will screen at the Dreamland Wednesday in celebration of Earth Day.
Making the science in the film accessible to a wider audience was a top priority, Johnson said. He hopes the film, his first feature-length project, strikes a balance between disseminating the science of climate change and sustainability efforts and sharing the adventure of these expeditions.
The Cape’s Environmental Future
Provincetown Independent: Arts Briefs April 15, 2026
The Cape’s Environmental Future
Filmmaker Todd Anders Johnson traveled with scientists to a wildlife refuge in Alaska, mountains in Chile and in Peru, and the Vatnajökull ice cap in Iceland to document research and sustainability efforts tied to global warming and retreating glaciers.
He’s now touring the U.S. with Cresta Alta, his documentary on the subject, which he says aims to make climate science more accessible and “emotionally compelling, so people can understand why this is so important.”
Johnson’s approach aligns with the current exhibition Visual Voice: Freedom to Create, on view this month at the Cape Cod Museum of Art (60 Hope Lane, Dennis), where the film will be screened on Friday, April 17 at 4 p.m. The show celebrates “the courage to speak through images” and challenges norms by expressing “what words cannot.” Museum Director Benton Jones says Johnson’s film tells an urgent story.
Nantucket ACK FM Podcast on Apple Podcasts
On-Air with Doug - Todd Anders Johnson - Cresta Alta
Doug chats with filmmaker and musician Todd Anders Johnson about bringing his climate-focused documentary Cresta Alta back to Cape Cod and Nantucket, places deeply tied to his personal and creative roots. As the film tour makes local stops, including a special Earth Day screening at Nantucket Dreamland and a Hyannis event, Todd reflects on the significance of connecting global climate stories, from Alaska to Iceland to South America, to coastal communities closer to home. He discusses the unique collaborations with local environmental groups, the distinct conversations each audience might experience, and how his Nantucket musical background shapes the film’s emotional tone, including his song “Timeless.” Through post-screening Q and As and community panels, Todd emphasizes that these events go beyond film, they are immersive, locally grounded conversations aimed at inspiring awareness, connection, and action.
The Flume: Cresta Alta film tour comes to Fairplay
Todd Anders Johnson documents glaciological research in Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru in new movie
Vail Daily: Adam Palmer Fund hosts spring fundraiser May 17 at Eagle’s Brush Creek Pavilion
The Adam Palmer Sustainability Fund is hosting its spring fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, at Eagle’s Brush Creek Pavilion with the screening of director Todd Anders Johnson’s film “Cresta Alta,” followed by an evening of live music at Eagle River Brewing Company in Gypsum.
Saturday’s event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and includes the screening of Johnson’s film, as well as live music from Salem & Friends and the Palmer Tribute Band.
“The Palmer Fund is thrilled to partner with Risan and Salem to celebrate the legacy of Adam and to raise community support for his sustainability vision here in the town and county,” said Geoff Grimmer, the executive director of the Adam Palmer Sustainability Fund. “We hope to see anyone in the community who has felt anxious about our mountain climate — whether wildfire threats, drought conditions or flooding — and participate in mitigating these threats through personal and collective decarbonization actions.”
The Sun Star, Fairbanks, Alaska
In a recent KSUA chat with The Sun Star, Todd Johnson, the lead singer of Salem and a documentary filmmaker, shared excitement about bringing his unique mix of music, film, and environmental activism to Fairbanks for a special show at UAF on Wednesday, April 9. A storyteller with a mission, through his work, he uses his platform to bring awareness about the issues that mean the most to him. His latest project, The Risan Project Tour, combines film, music, and a compelling message about climate action.
Newport Dispatch
Newport native returns home with documentary film tour
NEWPORT — Environmental filmmaker and musician Todd Anders Johnson, who attended North Country Union High School, will return to Newport as part of a statewide documentary film tour from March 17-23.
Johnson’s film, Cresta Alta, is a climate change and sustainability documentary showcasing glaciological research expeditions in Alaska, Iceland, Chile, and Peru. The film highlights parallels between ecological impacts of climate change in Arctic and Andean regions, focusing on scientists dedicated to gathering crucial field data.
Jay Peak Resort: CRESTA ALTA FILM TOUR WITH THE RISAN PROJECT
Join us for an exclusive film screening at Jay Peak Resort as part of the Cresta Alta Film Tour with the Risan Project. Hosted at the Clips and Reels Movie Theater, this event will showcase two compelling films that highlight global environmental challenges and the power of community storytelling.
KOTO Interview with Cresta Alta's Todd Anders Johnson, Telluride, CO
Telluride’s KOTO interview with Cresta Alta film’s, Todd Anders Johnson, in advance of tomorrow’s film screening event at the Michael D Palm Theatre in Telluride, Colorado.
Telluride Inside
Telluride’s Palm Arts is thrilled to present producer/director Todd Anders Johnson’s impactful documentary on glacial melting. The screening will be followed by a discussion and Q&A with Todd that connects Cresta Alta’s global environmental messaging to local and regional environmental movements.
New film explores the creative journey of Todd Anders Johnson
Being a singer-songwriter is not easy. Like many creative pursuits, songwriting requires a level of craftiness and ingenuity that can be hard to capture.
Colorado-based musician Todd Anders Johnson likes to find his creativity in nature. An avid snowboarder and mountain athlete, Johnson captures this creative process in his new short film titled, “Northward”.
Magic 93.1 Interview with Todd Anders Johnson
11 News Grand Junction Interview with Todd Johnson
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Multi-Media Educational Programs in Environmental Studies and Climate Science.
