1. 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
2. 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:
3. 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.
