Robert Swan speaking in Copenhagen on Dec. 15!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNECMENT to anyone in the vicinity of Copenhagen!

2041 Voyage for Cleaner Energy presents: 
Free Lecture by renowned Polar Explorer, Robert Swan O.B.E.
7pm on 15 Dec. @ Tietgen Kollegiet
Rued Langgaards Vej 10-18, Entrance 16
Nearest tube station is Islands Brygge or University.

I was "Inspired by Antarctica" and Robert....go to this and you will be too!

Lauren

Back to life, back to reality...

As you can tell from the previous posts, I've completed my latest adventure and now am safely back in the concrete jungle of New York City. I think the oddest transition has been adjusting to darkness again. I had become used to 24 hours of daylight. My body clock seems to be confused as I deal with my re-entry into reality and the world.

I'll post more thoughts in the upcoming days. In the meantime, visit the 2041 expedition blog if you'd like to read the day by day account of the expedition.

http://expedition.2041.com/iate

Surrounded by the "Iceberg Graveyard" at Charcot Harbour, Antarctica

A Day in Paradise

The following is an excerpt from one of my entries from our expedition blog. The day had special significance for me, as it brought me back to Paradise Bay, where I had scattered some of my father’s ashes the year before. The second landing at Orne Harbour was fantastic as well. It’s not often one has the chance to lie down in the snow and take a catnap on the top of a ridge, with no one in sight, in a blizzard, in total silence, with an occasional penguin passing by.

From November 26th…

We’ve reached a point in this experience where words begin to fail to describe the beauty, emotions and inspiration that we are feeling. Antarctica has become something special to each of us in different ways, but collectively we share the belief that this is a spectacular place beyond conventional description. A poet would find it the ultimate muse.

Above photo courtesy of Jack Robert-Tissot

Today the magic of Antarctica was revealed as we arrived at Paradise Bay. Aptly named, this protected bay has been described as the most beautiful place in the world, and while it certainly was impressive this morning when we woke up, it was hard to see its depth and grandeur through the thick white clouds and falling snow. We dressed warmly for our landing, which was intended to offer us some time for individual reflection, and set out in the zodiacs to Almirante Brown Station, named for the Argentinean hero. About 15 minutes after our landing, Paradise Bay transformed when the sun parted the thick cloud cover and broke through to reveal a bay that reflected majestic mountains in its stillness. The temperature rose dramatically and we switched from goggles to sunglasses to take in the precious warmth and stunning scene. Then, moments later, a portion of the glacier across the water calved, in clear view as we hiked up a mountain above the station, and it was as if Paradise Bay had awoken and decided to welcome us to her shores personally. Appreciating the special gift we had been given, we took time by ourselves to let the magical morning sink in.

Hike above Paradise Bay

After lunch we had an optional landing and hike at Orne Harbor and those who went were treated to a steep climb up a ridge to a chinstrap penguin rookery. We crossed over the ridge to the other side and the silently falling snow was entrancing.

Me & a couple of chinstrap penguins hiding in the flakes of a blizzard at Orne Harbour

Upon our return to the ship, we gathered for Robert’s third Leadership on the Edge installment. We also heard from members of the expedition on various topics. Steven Blumenfeld, a student from Yale University, spoke about how the Antarctic Treaty that was formed 50 years ago can serve as a model for climate policy today, and Ken Townsel of the Ron Clark Academy inspired us all with a motivational speech about seizing each moment of this expedition.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for the Americans on board the ship. The chef will be preparing a special feast and all send their love to families celebrating at home.

There's a Price for Everything

The following was written on the crossing to Antarctica on November 20th. A different version was posted on the 2041 blog...this was my personal journal entry:

The Drake Passage is a beast. The fact that I knowingly am traveling through it again for a second time speaks to the power of Antarctica. The Drake is like a mental and physical test, not unlike what astronaut must feel going to outer space. Different of course, but in the sense that you are traveling where few have gone before and putting your mind and body through hell to get there, it is pretty similar.  We are well past the Antarctic Convergence (where the Atlantic and Pacific waters meet and result in a major temperature drop) and the power of the ocean here cannot even be described.  It’s ferocious, and mesmerizing, and beautiful, and frightening. As I type this in my cabin, there are massive waves crashing onto my window, and I’m not even on the bottom level of the ship.

The stabilizers on this little ship, the Clipper Adventurer, have helped. I don’t think I would be very happy on the MV Ushuaia right now. Zero stabilizers in the worst crossing that the captain of that ship had ever seen (March 2008) – that was not fun. It’s been slow-going, therefore, it looks like we are going to head further south and come back to the E-base and Bellingshausen on the way back. We have been radioing the Russian ship that was stuck in the Weddell Sea, to get advice as to what our best path will be to avoid remaining pack ice.

With any luck we’ll be in calmer waters by nightfall. We’ve been rocking and rolling for 2 days now and although I’ve technically avoided getting sea sick (I’m wearing a seasick patch), I’ll be happy to move out of the Drake – at least for a week until we have to do it all over again on the way back!

Only a matter of hours before we see our first iceberg!

I'm off!

I'm about to board the ship and set sail for Antarctica. This will be my final post on this blog until December 1st, but you can follow me from now on at http://expedition.2041.com. I will get comments if you write them on the message board, so please do!

See you on the flip side!

Lauren

Publish Post

Preparing for departure...

I am blown away by the passion of the people on this expedition…and we haven’t even set foot on the boat. There are about 50 people from all over the world here – Vietnam, India, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Turkey, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, United Arab Emirates, Canada, US, UK, Columbia, China, and more - all about to embark on an experience that will change their lives. It’s really amazing to observe their excitement, as I remember the same eager anticipation that I had the night before departing for Antarctica the first time.

Just as with my first expedition, my future shipmates each have amazing stories about what led them to this place at the bottom of the world, and goals that they want to achieve while here. We will be learning about climate change and energy from an expert from Shell, and about the Antarctic Treaty from one of the foremost experts from the British Antarctic Survey, and about the concept of carbon offsets from an advisor from Native Energy. My job on the ship is to help define the ultimate mission for the team’s post-expedition work and to launch the Alumni Program that will give the team the tools to stay connected and inspired. I introduced the program earlier tonight and already have been approached by enthusiastic team members who already have plans for actions when they return home.

We had a fantastic hike up the Martial Glacier today. It was quite a different hike than last year because of the snow, and it was certainly better coming down…we practically floated down the glacier on all the fresh powder! I’m about to have a big traditional Argentinean dinner a good night’s sleep…’cause I’m leaving for Antarctica tomorrow!

Photo taken by Tony Piedade on the way up Martial Glacier early this morning.

Looking down on Ushuaia...

A different look at Ushuaia

When I was last in Ushuaia, it was the middle of March at the end of the summer, and the snow had melted off of most of the Patagonian mountains surrounding the town. In November, the spring snow is still covering the range and tomorrow we'll be hiking in it up to our knees when we climb up towards what is left of the Martial Glacier. Another difference at this time of year is the sunlight. Dawn breaks around 5am, and the sun doesn't go down until about 10:30pm. In Antarctica, the daylight will be even longer.

It's been a pretty relaxing couple of days, and until the expedition members began arriving this afternoon, I spent most of my time hanging out with the other team leaders, discussing the agenda for the leadership program I'll be helping to facilitate on the boat.

Now that everyone is here, it's hit me that this is actually happening. It's also presenting me with moments of déjà vu, and I fondly remember this time only a year and a half ago when I was the one arriving with that look of excitement on my face and meeting strangers that would become my close friends. I still have that excitement, and undoubtedly have already said hello to people today that I will know for the rest of my life.  

It's 8:45 and I'm off to dinner…considering whether or not to put on sunscreen.

Travelling

My mom worked for Pan Am and my dad regularly had business overseas, which meant that I grew up travelling. Since we would travel on my mom’s free passes in “space available”, it usually resulted in us sitting in First Class. In fact, as a little girl, I had to go to the airport dressed in a pretty dress and stockings so that I would be deemed acceptable to sit up front. Oh my, how times have changed.

My flight from JFK to Buenos Aires was relatively tolerable, thanks to my Ambien-induced 8 hour slumber (someone I know once referred to Ambien as “Business Class in a bottle”). The plane was bizarrely small for that long of a flight and I felt like a sardine. I actually had to get acrobatic at one point to launch out of my seat since the guy next to me wouldn’t wake up.

I am not sure why I feel so intrigued by the concept of travel as I write this. Maybe it is because I have spent much of the past year and a half studying climate change, or maybe it’s simply because I’ve just completed a 25-hour travel day. It never ceases to amaze me that I can leave the bustle of Manhattan on a Friday in rush hour, take off on a plane in an early winter Nor-Easter storm at night and land on a warm, Spring morning in another hemisphere, speed in a taxi through Buenos Aires to another airport and another plane, only to then again find myself in the freezing cold dark night 8 hours later, looking at the faint outline of mountains covered in snow in the southernmost city in the world. This planet is truly an amazing creation, and to think how humankind has found a way to jump all over it in contraptions that fly 35,000 feet in the air is nothing short of mind-boggling…if you really think about it.

So, I can’t help but think, as I embark on this journey to deepen my understanding of the urgent need to change how we use the planet’s resources, “why can’t humankind figure out a way to move our technology forward in a way that preserves this planet and enables future generations to live a comfortable life? Are we so spoiled, like little girls in First Class, that we can’t imagine doing things differently or making investments for the sake of those who will come after us?”

Wait, does that last paragraph sound like Carrie Bradshaw opening a “green” episode of “Sex and The City?”

Changing humankind’s behavior will not be easy, but as I reflect on the last year and a half since returning from my first trip to Antarctica, the signs that we may be on the road and travelling in the right direction seem to be present all around me. I live in New York City, and there is not a day that goes by that a bus with an advertisement with the word “green” doesn’t pass me. The trashcans in the subway now have stickers that explain that everything is recycled so that commuters won’t feel guilty disposing of their morning newspapers. My local farmers market not only provides me with everything I need to eat for the week (locally grown); I can also give any unwanted clothes to them to recycle, and there is someone sitting there every week signing up New Yorkers to “switch to wind energy”. This means that I pay a couple of extra dollars per month on my electric bill, but it’s creating a market and subsidizing more wind farms.

Now, I realize this is New York City, where you don’t need a car, apartments are small, and it is very easy to have a small carbon footprint. Even with its millions of inhabitants, New York City is becoming one of the “greenest” big cities in the world. However, the signs I see in my community are also appearing on national magazine covers bearing the words “Green Issue”, on national TV sitcoms that have “green” episodes, and most notably, a presidential campaign last year where both candidates acknowledged the importance of the issue of climate change.

While all of this is encouraging to me, it must seem odd to my European friends who have been recycling since they were born. I’m afraid the United States has a lot of work to do to catch up. I went to a debate the other night at the Japan Society near the U.N., to listen to several authorities from Japan, China and the U.S. share news of the negotiations leading up to December’s Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. All had been active in the Kyoto negotiations and some even further back to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1989. It was made very clear that the world is waiting for the U.S. government to decide what they are willing to commit to. One gentleman from Japan described it as “holding the rest of the world hostage”. That same man, however, was encouraged by the Obama administration’s progress. The Ambassador from China was very quick to point out that while China recently surpassed the U.S. as the top carbon emitting country, they also have 21% of the world’s population while the U.S. has only 5%, leaving their per capita carbon emissions much lower than ours. It is also very obvious that they are already positioning themselves for the future green economy, particularly global solar panel production. I love my country and feel fortunate to have been born here (it is, after all, totally random where we end up finding ourselves as new lives on earth), but we share our atmosphere with the rest of the world and we need to take the lead in cleaning it up. Even if the thousands of scientists who have agreed that anthropogenic climate change is happening were all of a sudden found to be wrong, so what? The world is wasting time arguing. It is still happening! It doesn’t matter whose “fault” it is. When I asked the debate panel a question about leadership at Copenhagen, mentioned that hours before the President of the Maldives and leaders of ten other nations had pledged to go carbon neutral, and asked about grass roots activism happening all over the world, and what effect, if any, it was having on the negotiations, I didn’t really get a straight answer. It’s a very complicated negotiation process, maybe the most complicated treaty that world leaders have ever had to face, but they need to stop playing politics, come up with solutions, and get this planet on the road to recovery…quickly.

So, as I wind down this marathon day of travel and get ready to start my longer journey south to the white continent (yes, my entire trip is offset…a complicated notion and I am sure the subject of a future blog entry), I am focused on the power of people and what they can accomplish: they can invent an airplane and change the world, they can study science in school and grow up to invent a wind turbine or solar panel, they can use the internet to spawn a grass roots movement that results in a coordinated International Day of Climate Action in over 180 countries, they can be ambitious and pledge to make their climate-vulnerable countries carbon neutral as a statement to the rest of the world, and they can be leaders who travel to Copenhagen and put politics aside and the future of the planet first by signing a fair and ambitious treaty. The first four have happened…I pray the fifth will too. That would be a trip worth taking. Anyone have an extra plane ticket to Copenhagen?

Lauren Wylie
Ushuaia, Argentina

And so it begins...

I'm off! Next stop, Buenos Aires...

Thank you to everyone for all of your support and well wishes!

I'll post again as soon as I can.

Lauren

48 hours to go...

I'm packing frantically, and even packed a can of yams to open on Thanksgiving. Hopefully Argentina's customs officers will go easy on me...it's a big can. It's been a crazy week, but hopefully I'll have some time on Friday to write about the debate I attended last night called "Copenhagen & Beyond: A Multilateral Debate about Climate Change Policy" at the Japan Society. Really interesting...

In the meantime, be sure to bookmark, follow or subscribe to this blog!

Jeans vs. The Planet

As the news comes in that a firm global treaty is less and less likely to be signed at Copenhagen in December, I'm reminded of this video that was featured at "The Age of Stupid" premiere in September. If only the world leaders could be bold enough and brave enough to actually lead. It still shocks me that people are so passionately opposed to the government investing in alternative energy and individuals spending a little too...like $150 a year per US household (just one of the many similar figures thrown out there - some are more, some are less). That's a pair of designer jeans!! And studies from all over the world (example: a recent TD Bank-funded study in Canada called "Climate Leadership, Economic Prosperity") detail how investing now can offer a better standard of living and create more jobs for the future. Not to mention how more renewable energy solutions would reduce our dependence on foreign oil. How can the world's leaders be so short-sighted...and so afraid to acknowledge that climate change is THE global issue of our time?

Personally, I'd rather buy a long and comfortable future for my generation's grand-kids than a few new pairs of jeans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FVYUTr61rc

My Formidable Opponent

Stephen Colbert vs. Stephen Colbert in another hilarious debate.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/255173/november-04-2009/formidable-opponent---global-warming-with-al-gore

Heading south soon...too soon?

This one's for those of you who have asked how my ship will be able to reach Antarctica this early in the summer season. Here's your answer...warmer water =  faster pack ice melt & more rapidly calving ice shelves.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/ice-loss-antarctic-peninsula-unprecendented-14000-years.php

Countdown....7 days!

The Countdown Begins

TEN DAYS until I leave for Antarctica! With all of the 350.org excitement, combined with Robert's book launch (have you bought it yet?), I am only now getting my head around all the preparations for the journey south. This post will test my ability to sent blog entries via e-mail, so l can keep you all updated for as long as I can before disappearing off the edge of the world without any way to communicate.

Recap of the 350.org Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Saturday was a magnificent day. The International Day of Climate Action began in New Zealand at sunrise, and continued to fan out all over the globe. At the end of the day, 350.org reported that over 5200 actions in 181 countries had taken place, and we became the top story on Google News, CNN, and many other news outlets on Saturday night. Here's a re-cap of how I spent the day...

At 11:30am on Saturday, October 24th, a crowd started to gather near the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. It was relatively mild in temperature, but the rain was on and off and I was afraid that it would turn off people from coming out to march. And then they came...and kept coming, until I lost count. Among those gathered was Robert Swan and others from my first expedition to Antarctica, many friends, and even my mom, who was visiting from Oregon. Somehow, in the midst of the chaos, I found myself next to Robert and being given a banner to hold. Turns out we would be leading the throng of several hundred across the bridge! We started out in some light rain, and after about an hour, reached the other side and continued to the DUMBO park. Robert gave an inspiring speech to the cheering crowd and then we headed off to our next stop...Times Square.

Approaching Times Square, it began to rain again, and as we got close to the center we started to see dozens of blue and white 350 signs dotting the plaza. The celebration began at 3:50pm when music played, people danced, and pictures that had been sent from around the world were were shown on four big screens overhead. At one point I looked up and saw a picture of myself leading the Bridge Walk earlier in the day. Bill McKibbon, the founder of 350.org spoke, then introduced 3 other leaders in the movement, including Robert Swan. Once again Robert inspired the crowd, announcing his upcoming "Return Journey", where he will make another polar walk, this time without the use of any fossil fuels.

It was a magnificent day, filled with hope and enthusiasm, but what struck me as truly remarkable was the way people from all over the world came together to support a common cause. There were no religious or political divides with those involved, only concerned citizens of the world. That should speak pretty loudly to decision makers...it's not often that citizens from warring nations can come together and agree whole-heartedly on something. They did on Saturday.

Check out some pics and video here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/26/350-protests-in-new-york_n_334051.html

WOW, talk about action...

It's amazing what can happen in a week. Since my post on October 14th, the International Day of Climate Action has nearly doubled in size to over 4300 actions in 171 countries, and the buzz is EVERYWHERE! To find a common cause that brings together people from nations at war with each other is rare and precious, and to see how fiercely determined young people are to spread this message is inspiring. There are over 300 events planned across China alone...that is mind-boggling.

Please join me in experiencing this special day. Wherever you are.

And New Yorkers...I'll see you on the Brooklyn Bridge!

Blog Action Day - short and simple

It's Blog Action Day and so far almost 25,000 bloggers all over the world have written about this year's chosen topic: climate change. I only have one thing to say: October 24th has the chance to be "one of those days" in history. BE THERE. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqof641pWys

See you on the Brooklyn Bridge at 12pm! And if NYC is too far away...find an action near you at 350.org...

ATTENTION NEW YORKERS!

10 GREAT REASONS TO JOIN ME ON 350.ORG’S BROOKLYN BRIDGE WALK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH:

1. Robert Swan, who is in town for his big book launch on October 27th, will be walking with us! How often do you get a chance to walk alongside someone who has walked to both the North and South Poles?
2. It’s FREE, unlike most NYC events...plus you get a free t-shirt.
3. It’s at 12 noon, which means you can sleep off a hangover first, or walk off a big brunch.
4. Since I was out of town on my birthday, THIS is the party! And you don’t even have to bring a gift. Your presence will be my present.
5. Have kids? ALL AGES welcome. Get them away from the video games and DVDs and out into the fresh air!
6. Live in the suburbs? If so, #5 is likely so see above.
7. You’ll get to meet my mom. She’s awesome.
8. Brooklyn has cool brunch spots that you can go to after the walk. OK, I know I really don’t ever go to Brooklyn, but I did go to brunch there once…the last time I walked across the bridge.
9. If the Yankees go to a Game 6, it won’t start until 4:13pm…plenty of time to walk the bridge then get to the stadium or a TV.
10. World leaders will be gathering in Copenhagen in December. They must come away from that meeting having signed a strong global treaty on climate change. As of today, over 2400 actions in 155 countries are planned for 350.org’s Global Day of Climate Action on October 24th. We’re New Yorkers! Time to show our strength in numbers and take a stand in the “most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history”! How cool is that!? 

If these 10 reasons haven’t convinced you or if you are unavailable to attend, PLEASE spread the word to anyone who you think might be interested!

E-mail me with questions…laurenwylie99@gmail.com, and be sure to sign up on Facebook, 350.org, Greenpeace, or just tell me so we can have an idea of numbers.

When: Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 12pm

Where: Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge (there is an open plaza area across from the entrance to the bridge)

There will also be a press conference in Times Square later in the afternoon (around 3pm). Robert Swan will be an MC at that event and if you can't make the walk...come to the press conference!

Rain or shine...SEE YOU THERE!

Announcement: Robert Swan to join Brooklyn Bridge Walk with 350.org

I've just received confirmation that Robert Swan, who will be in New York City for his book launch on October 27th, will be arriving early in order to be able to join me and other New Yorkers in 350.org's Global Day of Climate Action in a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. To quote 350.org's website, "350 parts per million is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere". The 350.org grass roots movement exists to raise awareness leading up to the Climate Change Conference in December in Copenhagen, and to "hold our decision-makers accountable to producing a treaty that is strong, equitable, and grounded in the latest science."  As of today, there are 2,252 actions planned in 152 countries on October 24th. Following the bridge walk, 350.org will be holding a press conference in Times Square where pictures from these actions all over the world will be shown. Robert will be speaking to the crowd after the walk, and hopefully again as an MC at the Times Square event.

New Yorkers...PLEASE come walk with me! We'll meet on the Manhattan side at 12 noon. You can sign up at http://www.350.org/node/7423

Robert Swan's new book ON SALE Oct. 27th

Robert Swan, with help from Gil Reavill, details his extraordinary life so far in this wonderful new book. Robert tells the story of why he was inspired to be the first person to walk to both the South and North Poles, and how he came to dedicate his life to preserving Antarctica. On unbelievable adventure after adventure, Robert shows commitment, leadership and unwavering pursuit of educating young people about sustainability and leadership. The book is filled with humor, emotion, suspense, and inspiration. It is thoroughly entertaining (I couldn't put it down), yet it also finds a way to speak very clearly about the serious environmental issues facing our world today and illustrates how the polar regions are the "canaries in the coal mine" of climate change. Robert's focus on 2041's mission to promote renewable energy and educate young leaders about sustainability is an example of how one person can make a difference.

Please buy the book and support the mission to preserve Antarctica! Pre-order here:

http://www.amazon.com/Antarctica-2041-Quest-Earths-Wilderness/dp/0767931750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249508901&sr=8-1

Chapter Two...Back to Antarctica in November!

I am thrilled to announce that Robert Swan and 2041 have invited me back to Antarctica on an expedition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. I have been asked to help develop and launch the new 2041 Alumni Program, and will be speaking to this year’s Antarctic expedition team about what to do post-expedition to stay inspired and push the mission of 2041 forward. That mission is to "inform, engage and inspire the next generation of leaders to take responsibility, to be sustainable, and to know that now is the time for action in policy development, business generation and future technologies".

Please sign up to follow this blog and stay tuned for more details!

To learn more about my first trip to Antarctica, please visit http://www.inspiredbyantarctica.com/

Today I spoke to some of the graduating class of the Young Women's Leadership School in East Harlem, NY. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate! I'm back row, fourth from the left.