Introduction

Hi there,

I’m Boglarka, a 24-years-old university student from Hungary, who’s lucky (and passionate) enough to join the 2041 ClimateForce expedition to the Arctic in June 2019, as the first participant ever from my country. The mission is led by the incredible Sir Robert Swan, the first man in history to walk both poles. After being chosen to become a ClimateForce Arctic Ambassador, I am keen to raise awareness & document the impact of climate change on the Arctic, to show YOU the reality of a place we thought is untouched by human activity.

With your help, I'll be able to conduct my research on the reality of climate change on the Arctic, participate in a pioneer project, learn documentation and field techniques & leadership skills, and gain incredible experiences to help me kickstart my career in the field of environmental science.

If you back my campaign, we can make a difference together and raise awareness on climate change issues. Watch my video & keep on reading to learn more about the project!

About Robert Swan and the ClimateForce Challenge

The whole mission of the 2041 Foundation started with two remarkable people, father and son: Robert Swan O.B.E. and Barney Swan, who became a groundbreaker by going on an expedition to the Antarctic, powered entirely by renewable energy. Their goals include establishing a new standard of carbon-neutral traveling, education about sustainability, and raising awareness on climate change and other environmental issues.

They started the ClimateForce Challenge together to help the youth, the future leaders get inspired and involved in the action for a sustainable tomorrow.

Having the ability to travel with and learn from such experienced and unique people is one of the reasons I decided to join the expedition. I expect this mission to be a life-changing experience, a huge lesson for my future and an incredible opportunity to witness something I otherwise could never do - something that could help me kickstart my career in environmental science.

Check out the trailer for 2041 ClimateForce: the Arctic mission 2019!

The Expedition

The roots: it all started 28 years ago when Robert was standing on what should be a six-foot-thick ice sheet, when the ice of the Arctic Ocean began to melt right under his feet. The melting occured four months earlier before it ever had in history. Although Robert and his team of explorers made it out alive, the experience changed their lives ultimately. Robert decided to dedicate his life to the preservation of the polar regions. Now he's ready to return and show the reality of climate change to ClimateForce participants, as the situation has only become worse ever since.
Carbon Neutral Journey: the 2041 expeditions are certified Carbon Neutral Voyages. Together with The Explorer's Passage, 2041 ClimateForce also announced the creation of the Arctic Carbon Negative Initiative (ACNI), which is to establish new CO2 standard protocols for the global travel industry. It's one of our main goals to effectively promote the use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.

Leadership on the Edge: on this ClimateForce mission, team members will also participate in a program which consists of leadership development, climate change training and sustainability education, in order to help them deliver the message of global environmental issues and possible solutions.
Saving the Antarctic: it is incredibly important that we go to the Arctic and observe the changes that are happening - so that we ensure that these extreme environmental conditions never happen in Antarctica (which forms the main profile and field of research of ClimateForce).

For the sake of wildlife: around 100.000 species go extinct each year, according to environmental reports. This is a devastating number and we must do our very best to stand up for the protection of wildlife all around the globe. Endangered species include polar bears and other wonderful creatures of the Arctic as well. We at the ClimateForce Arctic team are keen to preserve this biosphere, and to observe the animals and nature that call this place home.

Professionals of National Geographic are joining the expedition to help research and document the impact of climate change on the Arctic.

The 2041 ClimateForce Arctic expedition takes place in June 2019.

Photo credits: 2041 Foundation / ClimateForce Alumni

Where and how?

The planned track of the ClimateForce 2091 expedition includes locations like Svalbard, the Spitsbergen, Kongsfjord, Longyearbyen and many other incredible parts of the Arctic.

Accommodation will take place on the National Geographic Explorer ship. From morning to night, the main ways of completing the journey are going to be trekking, hiking, kayaking and Zodiac cruising.

About me: who am I and what do I even want to do on the Arctic?

Having finished my studies in International Relations, I’m heading to Scotland this Fall to study Environmental Management (MSc). I’ve also recently become a trained Climate Reality Leader, and previously volunteered for NGOs such as WWF and Jane Goodall Institute.

My biggest dream is to work in the field of ocean research and study the impact of climate change and other environmental issues on marine ecosystems. Thus, when I heard about the 2041 ClimateForce mission, I didn’t hesitate for a second. Now, having been chosen to join the expedition, I am about to experience the greatest adventure of my life.

So here I am, this is me. I’m passionate about nature, I truly love and care about it, and want to protect as much of it as I possibly can. I’m keen to start a change – and become a part of it.
Help me be the change.

After the expedition: a call for action

Apart from writing my thesis based on the research conducted, knowledge gained and experience documented during the expedition, I also have an action plan after my return from the Arctic. This includes:

using the gained leadership skills in my work as a Climate Reality Leader: delivering presentations, organizing workshops and events to inform people about the issue of climate change
writing a series of articles to be published online and in the press, to show readers the reality of our altering planet, the struggling flora and fauna, and the actual impact of climate change, pollution and other man-made environmental issues
sharing my experiences from the Leadership on the Edge program with companies, local authorities and communities, in order to help them find their own ways of everyday action for our future
using the gained knowledge in my work as an environmental manager, and during my further studies in the field of marine conservation and ecosystems.

Testimonials

Robert Swan's personal message about the mission, my goals and having me as the first participant from Hungary:

"We believe in you. You will be an incredible asset to the team on the ship." - Jeff Bonaldi, Founder and CEO of The Explorer's Passage

How can you help?

You can help me achieve my dreams and raise awareness on climate change issues by placing a donation (all amounts are truly appreciated). Besides that, if you know about possible sponsors (companies, NGOs, governmental organizations or individuals), please reach out to me in e-mail:

boglarkabaksay@gmail.com

Thank you for your kind help & being part of a change!

Boglarka

Did you know? – Surprising facts about the Arctic

The case of the three poles. There are not one but three North Poles on Earth – and they are hundreds of miles away from each other! The first two are called the Geographic (or Terrestrial) North Pole and the Magnetic North Pole. While the former is a fixed point located in the middle of the Arctic sheet (and is considered to be the „real” North Pole), the latter is a magnetic phenomena which always changes and moves with our planet. The third North Pole is the Geomagnetic one, which is basically the average location of the Magnetic North Pole.

Happy feet? Not here! There are no penguins on the North Pole. Just how you won’t be able to find any polar bears on the South Pole!

A game of shade and light. Six months are spent in broad daylight and half a year in almost complete darkness on the Arctic.

Run boy run! Despite the extreme weather conditions, there is an actual marathon conducted every year on the North Pole.

And the world recorder is... The Arctic isn’t the coldest area of our planet: the South Pole has even lower temperatures and is the highest continent on Earth (while the North Pole sits on ice just above sea level).

ClimateForce: help me study & fight climate change on the Arctic!