State girl braces up for Arctic expedition

Bhubaneswar: Neelima Mishra, a consultant to the state government and an environmentalist, has been selected in the 80-member ‘Climate Force: Arctic 2019 Expedition’ team, which would embark on an expedition to the Artic, a strategic hotspot of climate change, from June 15 to June 26, 2019.

The expedition led by Robert Swan, under his ‘2041’ foundation, aims to create awareness on climate change and inspire the forthcoming generation to build resilient communities for sustainable development.

Neelima, who has rendered support to Orissa POST’s plastic-ban campaign, has impressed Swan’s foundation too and is currently collecting funds for the expedition. Of the total Rs 13 lakh required for the expedition, Neelima has to crowd fund Rs 3.5 lakh and has collected Rs 2.5 lakh so far.

She is looking for sponsorship from entrepreneurs, organizations and philanthropists who can support her in this noble cause and help her represent Odisha and India on a global platform. The cost includes expedition fees, airfare and clothing gear cost.

Speaking to Orissa POST, Neelima said, “Climate change has a special relevance for our state because of the geophysical conditions. Apart from the devastating 1999- super cyclone,   our state has been facing such storms on a regular basis for instance the recent Daye and Titli.” She highlighted the intense and unprecedented heatwaves in the state that claim many lives. “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,” she added.

It may be mentioned here that Robert Swan has walked both the South and North poles. Through his organisation ‘2041’, Robert Swan has travelled to all corners of the globe and inspired millions to create a more sustainable world.

In November 2017, Robert Swan undertook an 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 there when they thought of expanding the mission of ‘2041’ to those areas around the globe where the effect of climate change is most, including the Arctic.