Antarctic Expedition with Sir Robert Swan O.B.E

Sandeepa Garlapati is organizing this fundraiser.

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I am still in shock!!!! I can't believe it!!! This is the most rewarding thing of my life!!!!

It took me a lot of preparation and determination to make it happen! YESS!!!!!

I've been selected to go to Antarctica with Sir Robert Swan OBE in March 2022 (March 17-29, 2022) . I was extremely excited when I got selected for this, which was after several rounds of application process and interviews.

Finally!!! Here is the peek into my Acceptance Letter! YAYY!!! <<<< The official date has been changed from November 2021 to March 2022 due to the severity of Covid-19 around the globe at the time>>>>

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it…” –Robert Swan

What is the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition?

I have been selected from among hundreds of applicants to be part of a 100-person team journeying to Antarctica on the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition in March 2022. The diverse, international team is comprised of citizens of every continent (except Antarctica itself), united in a common mission to benefit our home planet.

As the world’s most dynamic Antarctic sea expedition, it is a unique 12-day educational journey by ship to ‘the Last Great Wilderness on Earth,’ led by polar explorer and sustainability champion Robert Swan O.B.E. - the first person in history to trek to both of Earth’s poles.

The ‘carbon-negative’ expedition aims to inspire, develop, and train the next generation of leaders to promote a more sustainable future. Through lectures, shore landings, hikes, group discussions, workshops, and more, the Expedition will train inspirational participants on up-to-date climate science, sustainability, and leadership skills and will equip them with the tools to create meaningful impacts in their communities, institutions, companies, and governments in order to benefit this planet that we all call home.

What is 2041 ClimateForce? (Click here to find out more)

Robert Swan’s survival experiences at the Poles in the 1980s allowed him to witness the effects of climate change firsthand. As a result, he shifted his life’s purpose to the preservation of Antarctica. ‘2041’ is derived from the original year in which the Madrid Protocol protecting Antarctica from exploitation would come up for debate, revision, and/or possible cancellation.

The core 50-year mission of 2041 ClimateForce, which grows ever more critical by the year, is to help preserve Antarctica by engaging businesses and communities on climate science, personal leadership, renewable technologies, and the promotion of measurable action plans surrounding sustainable development. The ClimateForce initiative, led by Robert’s son Barney (who became the first person to trek 600 miles to the South Pole powered solely by renewable energy), is a 7-year commitment to clean up 360 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere through strategic offsetting partnerships.

What the Expedition Involves ("Leadership on the Edge" program):

The itinerary includes:

Lessons and workshops led by renowned experts in their fields

Shore landings at key sites along the Antarctic Peninsula

Studying and observing massive glaciers and icebergs up close, as well as a wide range of Antarctic wildlife

Small group discussions

Team-building activities

Participants like me graduate the program as Ambassadors for the Antarctic, charged with making a stand in the fight against anthropogenic climate change and reinforced by the personal and professional network developed during and after the expedition.

A BIT ABOUT ME... ✍

➮I live on Long Island, New York, where I work as a scientist. I was born and raised in India.

➮My passions are giving back to the world, kindness, and empathy via mental health advocacy. To give back to the world is one of the purest joys anyone can experience and return the favor of Mother Nature providing us with everything we need and to survive.

➮Fighting against climate change is one and the most important way of doing this. In addition, many studies have shown that mental illness due to eco-anxiety (climate depression) seems to be rapidly growing ever more dire in younger generations where the kids feel they might die from climate change and not from old age; this is the most painful thing to hear. (Google: eco-anxiety).

The least we can do as we share space on the same planet is to be kind to one another and help each other. It is our responsibility as adults to fix this planet, so we can support the mental health of younger generations and give them hope that the world can be saved.

THIS WILL BE ME SOON ❄️...IN MARCH 2022

THE 2021 ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION ❄️

➮ On this carbon-neutral expedition, I'll be sailing past towering icebergs, exploring epic glaciers, observing magnificent landscapes, interacting with the unique wildlife and even swimming in the freezing Antarctic waters. I'll be learning first hand about this fragile continent's ecosystems and how it is under attack from climate change.

➮ The mission of this expedition is to build personal leadership skills among the people who want to tackle climate change. I will be part of the world-famous Leadership-On-The-Edge program taught by experts in climate change, leadership, public speaking and more. Organizations such as NASA, Cisco, JP Morgan, Accenture have all sent delegates to this renowned program. ☝

➮ Through expert-taught workshops, I will learn first-hand about the history of Antarctica, its fragile ecosystems how climate change is threatening it. For example, David Hone, the chief climate change advisor to Shell will be onboard teaching about the science and challenges behind climate change.

➮ Through the expedition's "Leadership on the Edge" program, renowned experts on glaciology, oceanography, and wildlife will equip me with everything I need to learn to save the planet, right from the icy classroom of Antarctica!

TURNING THIS EXPEDITION INTO ACTION ✅

➮ Firstly, I will share first-hand information from the beginning, like, behind the scenes, my preparation for the Expedition, our journey to Antarctica and the knowledge we gain on daily basis during this Expedition. This way, I can provide insights to everyone of this pristine continent and the challenges it faces.

➮ Secondly, with the official title "2041 Foundations Antarctic Ambassador" I am gonna receive, I would like to be a catalyst and bring about the change! I would conduct workshops and locally organized events to demonstrate the urgency of the situation and relay everything I've learned about being a climate leader, Antarctica and solutions in going carbon-neutral.

➮ Thirdly, with all my key findings from my expedition, I would meet with universities and corporations to present my experiences and lecture on the importance of carbon neutral efforts.

➮ Last but not least, I will publicize my practices and also help others on living a sustainable and carbon-capture lifestyle. Some of them are:

1. Reduce fast-fashion in our wardrobes or better, thrift them. The understanding of the new "R" refusal along with the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

2. The correct and only way of "recycling", if not reusing.

3. Minimize meat consumption, if not, going vegan completely.

4. Energy efficient amenities at home (LEDs, efficient water fixtures, less shower time, solar panels etc).

5. Contributing to carbon-neutral mechanisms (like Offsetting flights, planting trees whenever and wherever).

Not only will I generate attention to these simple steps, but also deliver tailored action plans for people and organizations to easily implement these steps. Through this model, everyone can become a climate warrior!

HOW MUCH IT COSTS :

Here is the total breakdown of the expenses:

➮ $19890 (with expedition fee, flights, medical insurance and extreme weather gear).

➮ By helping me reach this crowdfunding target or better, exceed, I will be able to witness first-hand and learn how Antarctica has changed over the past decades and what's the biggest threat it's imposing!

➮I'll come back home to inspire communities in carbon footprint offset and sustainability practices.

REWARDS FOR DONATING !!!!!!!!!!!