Climate Expedition

Hi, my name is Miriam, I am a marine biologist, watercolour artist and conservationist. I have created my own little brand “Under The Sea Art”, where my paintings and illustrations support environmental campaigns, scientific research papers and generally make people connect with the underwater world. I am seeing the threats our oceans face with my own eyes: ghost nests entangling animals, pollution and habitat destruction destroying our coastal regions, rising sea temperatures bleaching our beautiful coral reefs and animals being hunted to the brink of extinction. The changing climate threatens everything I care about: wildlife, nature, coral reefs and even us. And my one big passion is trying to inspire people to do good for our beautiful blue planet.

Now I’m honoured to have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to the Antarctic Climate Expedition on the ‘Sylvia Earle’ with Aurora Expeditions, Mission Blue and Ocean Geographic in February 2023. The expedition is not just a trip to Antarctica, it has a clear target. To bring together great minds of conservation, art, science and media to make a difference in our future relationship with nature and the planet and to inspire actions around the world so that future generations will thrive in a world full of wildlife. As a key opinion ambassador I am directly involved in developing resolutions and I have been invited to contribute to this expedition, both as a scientist and an artist. I will be responsible for science communication of important projects undertaken by scientists on board, from penguins and whales to the Antarctic ice to make sure more people get to learn about the behind the scenes of field research in such remote places. As an artist, I will create paintings during and after the expedition to shed light on the importance of protecting our world’s largest desert. In the early years of exploring Antarctica, before cameras were a thing, exploration ships would have always taken an artist on board to illustrate the life found during the expeditions. For that, I am a little late, however I am in the exact right time to inspire change and protection for this very wildlife, which I plan to do through my art and communication. Antarctica plays a major role in regulating our climate and the protection of these wild places is vital to the health of both sea and land. We can still turn things around, if we act now.

To join this one of a kind expedition is a truly extraordinary opportunity to let my voice be heard and make a difference, and would mean the world to me also on a personal level. I live with Multiple Sclerosis. Before I got diagnosed I had partially lost my eyesight and this was probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. It was like a curtain closing, slowly blurring my vision on my left eye. After I recovered I promised I would live life to the fullest for as long as I can and, on the way, inspire other MS patients giving them a different perspective on what’s possible, even when living with a nerve disease. I believe if I would have heard about an MS patient travelling to the Antarctica it would have made me feel so much more hopeful. This is what I want to inspire in other people living with autoimmune diseases and YOU can help me reach all this.

The outcomes of the expedition will be shared on a large scale, with a documentary being produced on top of all the content which will be available publicly. Any contribution to this expedition will support our goals to make a difference and have a direct impact on the success of the expedition as a whole. Help me have a voice: a voice for the planet, a voice for art and conservation and a voice for the MS community.

Thank you for considering supporting me.

Love,

Miri