I have been selected as the only Indian participant from the state of Odisha this year for a unique experience, the 'Leadership on the Edge Program' which is a part of the Climate Force Arctic Expedition from June 15 -June 26,2019. This campaign is my attempt to raise funds to join the expedition to the Arctic to understand the effects of climate change first hand. By witnessing the pristine wilderness on Earth, I will be trained in sustainable ways of living and interacting with the ecosystem by the experts, thus helping me on my climate leadership journey.
Why fund me?
Climate Change has a special relevance for our state of Odisha because of its location and geophysical conditions. Apart from the devastating super cyclone in 1999, repeatedly, our State has been facing intense tropical cyclones — the most recent being Daye and Titli. Not to forget the intense and unprecedented heat waves that claim many casualties. Having experienced the wrath first hand, I understand that climate change has the potential to derail growth strategies and deepen poverty apart from loss of life, livelihood, assets and infrastructure.
With a Post Graduation in Forest Management from the prestigious Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, I have the requisite skillsets in the realm of environmental and ecological sustainability. My internship experience with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at a difficult terrain like Arunachal Pradesh also gave me the impetus to work towards nature conservation and sustainability.
This year, on a personal level, I raised awareness about single-use plastic free living by observing a Plastic Free July, addressing various corporate organizations through sensitization sessions and individuals via social media thus influencing many to go by this earth friendly way of living.
My personal interests also includes composting and I have been involved in waste management awareness with many households and individuals too.
So by supporting me , you will get your money's worth, as I will join a diverse group consisting of sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, which will empower me to work towards a better future for Odisha and our country too.
As Sir Robert Swan puts it, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.’’
If I am successful in raising funds, I will join a team on this voyage that equips leaders with resources and actionable solutions to become a part of a global force of change.
Who is Sir Robert Swan?
Sir Robert Swan, O.B.E, is the first person to walk to both the South and North Poles. His experiences at the Poles allowed Swan to witness the effects of climate change firsthand, and shifted his life’s purpose to working toward solutions to mitigate the greatest threat that our planet faces. Through his organization ‘2041’, Robert Swan has traveled to all corners of the globe to inspire and build leaders to create a more sustainable world.
In November 2017, Robert Swan made one last expedition to the South Pole with his son Barney Swan, on a mission known as the South Pole Energy Challenge (SPEC). The team became the first people in history to attempt this feat by surviving entirely on renewable energy. Over the course of the 60-day expedition they encountered an Antarctica that was melting beneath their feet. It was here that they knew that they needed to expand the mission of 2041 to those areas around the globe that climate change is having the most effect on , including the Arctic - a strategic hotspot of climate change .
About the Arctic and more about the expedition?
The Arctic is one of the most beautiful, untouched, and pristine locations on the planet, which is exactly why we must do everything we can to preserve it. It represents our past but epitomizes our future. It’s massive ice sheets are home to polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, and puffins. If the glaciers continue melting at their current rate of deterioration, sea levels will rise, and the disastrous effects will be felt on a multi-national scale. This is the reality of climate change which has the power to radically reshape our future.
Using the expedition as a platform for engagement, the mission is to empower and inspire people to make sustainable measurable changes in businesses, communities, and lifestyles.
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A big thank you to each of one you for your contributions and your belief in me, it has helped me inched closer to my goal. However, the campaign has been extended further by a month, and the goal reduced from the original Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 3.5 lakhs , because the remaining bulk will be targeted through corporate sponsorships.
I will keep you posted on my progress and preparation for this expedition. Request you to kindly help spread word and help me achieve my crowdfunding target.I hope to make all of you proud of my work!
Thanks and Gratitude
Neelima
1 life has changed as a result of donors' support.