Antarctic Expedition“The greatest threat to the Planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” –

Sir Robert Swan, OBE.

The team: 2041

Objective: To ensure that the ‘Antarctic Treaty’ that expires in 2048 is continued

beyond 2048. This treaty protects Antarctica from exploitation and preserves its pristine environment.

To inspire the youth and create Antarctic Ambassadors who will champion the cause of the environment.

After listening to Sir Robert Swan’s talk in our school I learnt that 2041 were opening their expedition to students for the first time. I was really ebullient about this opportunity and decided that would try my best to be on this expedition. However, the hurdles that this posed me with were definitely more challenging that the ones I was used to jumping on the track!

Hurdle #1: Selection

A video presentation – To Showcase my passion A quiz – To test my knowledge Situational Handling Scenarios – To test my presence of mind and mental

strength Individual Interview – To test my communication skills Fitness Challenge – To assess my physical strength.

Hurdle #2: Fund-raising

Total Cost – $27,000

Paid Internship – At a local pharmacy as a sales executive for 15 days.o Amount raised - $1,500

Art Auction and other fundraising events held in school.o Amount raised - $10,000

Corporate Sponsorships:o SkiDubai – equipment and clothing ($2000)o Gulf Oil - $10,000

Hurdle #3: Travel

14 hour flight: Dubai – Buenos Aires 2 hour flight: Buenos Aires – Ushuaia

3 days by ship, sailing across the dreaded Drake Passage, until we spotted the first Antarctic Icebergs.

Experience:

We had the first-hand opportunity to witness the impact of human activity on our natural world.

The Larson B ice shelf on the Wedel Sea that was almost impossible to penetrate through two years ago now had inroads wide enough to allow a ship to pass through.

o Measurements from NASA’s Grace satellite confirm that Antarctica is losing mass.

Our expedition leader, Sir Robert Swan, had experienced the wrath of the UV rays due to the hole in the Ozone layer above Antarctica; his iris lost its color during his journey to the South Pole.

Growth of new species of plants on the continent – proof of increased temperatures.

Takeaways:

The experience made me realize that the environment is an issue that cannot be delayed any further.

I was made the Antarctic Youth Ambassador and I was given the responsibility of championing 2041’s cause by raising awareness among the youth in of the United Arab Emirates.

After working along with other like-minded environmental enthusiasts from the ‘Antarctic Youth Ambassador Program’ I returned to Dubai armed with various initiatives and programs to take forward in my school and in my society.

Post-Antarctica (This is where the real journey begins):

PAPER: (Project to Actively Preserve Environmental Resources.)

Competitive collection drives, clean up campaigns and field trips to Masdar City (a community that runs completely on renewable energy in Abu Dhabi).

E-Learning – Ushered in the concept of digitalized textbooks for the middle school.

Tetra-Pack Project – Our school has collaborated with the youth ambassador of Tetra Pack India to help us soundproof our music rooms using reused tetra packs.

Awareness Projects:

Environment Conference – My school is going to host the first ever environment conference in the Country for school students.

o Desired outcome – Set up a local youth organization so that students from different schools can share their ideas and plans.

Seminars – Have spoken to 3500 students in the country to raise awareness about the problems that our environment faces

Future Plans:

Ensure that these projects continue in my school even after I leave for university by encouraging the juniors to start leading these projects.

Continue these programs and initiatives in my university as well. Champion the cause for the environment by using my Major, Mechanical

Engineering, as a platform to research further in the field of Sustainable Energy.