The first man to visit and explore both the north and the south Poles — Robert Swan, got his eyes discoloured because of the UV rays that penetrated from the depleted parts of the ozone layer at the snowscapes. Having realised the harmful effects of climate change, he founded the organisation ‘2041’, dedicated to preserving the Antarctic region. Since the 1980s, Robert has been leading a team of polar researchers, climate change experts, marine biologists, ornithologists and environment- conscious people to conduct expeditions in the cold whites of Antarctica. Now the team is travelling to different parts of the globe to coach people about climate change and their first pick in India — is Chennai!
Camping for days in the ice deserts — the trekkers chosen from different countries through a strict procedure — observe the changes caused to the ice glaciers, food chains, animals, birds and increase in temperatures, every couple of years. Having already cleared 1,500 tonnes of waste that had been left after decades of research, Swan’s team has already created a massive impact. “We don’t look for scientists or sustainability experts, but common people who can go back and help solve this universal problem through inspiring climate action within their communities, cities and countries,” reveals expedition leader Shaivya Singh Rathore who quit her engineering job to fight for the environment.
Elaborating on the objective, Robert Swan says, “The primary purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure that Antarctica shall forever be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. To this end, the treaty prohibits military activity except in support of science, prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste. It also promotes scientific research and the exchange of data and holds all territorial claims in abeyance. So we have to keep working towards the preservation of the treaty beyond 2041.”
