ClimateForce Antarctica Expedition – March 2022

Hi, I’m Tun Shien (my friends call me Tun) and I have been selected to join the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctica Expedition from 17 March - 28 March 2022. This expedition is organized by 2041 ClimateForce and aims to develop and train the next generation of leaders to build a more sustainable future. I am fortunate and excited to be the only Singaporean citizen selected for this upcoming expedition.

MORE ABOUT THE EXPEDITION

The expedition is part of the work of the 2041 Foundation spearheaded by Robert Swan O.B.E. and Barney Swan. Through the expedition, participants will be exposed to the ‘Leadership on the Edge’ programme, consisting of leadership development, climate change training, and sustainability education.

The expedition has been ongoing for more than 14 years and this round brings together approximately 150 participants from across the world, with a larger proportion of young leaders as sustainability champions and changemakers in their communities.

MY GOALS FOR THE EXPEDITION

My interest in sustainability and environmental conservation started many years back when I was first introduced to the natural coastal spaces in Singapore. Since then, my passion grew after taking on various environmental volunteering opportunities as a nature guide and several sustainability-related internships. I am the co-founder of a Youth-SME Sustainability Consulting Programme in Singapore and was the environmental lead of Manta, a novel filtration system incubated from the Ericsson Innovation Awards 2019. As an avid scuba diver and nature explorer, marine conservation and biodiversity protection are 2 areas close to my heart.

Growing up, many of my friends felt disconnected from the natural environment as we often lacked first-hand exposure. For myself, a large contributor to my passion was developed through watching documentaries (with David Attenborough or Jean-Michel Costeau) and reading books. The expedition will be a fantastic opportunity to witness first-hand the tangible effects of climate change on our natural environment. It would allow me to communicate the realities of climate change to the community in Singapore.

It would also be an amazing experience to share with everyone, and together with the leadership training and sustainability education provided during the expedition, we could develop solutions that deliver environmental and climate impact. One of my personal projects which I hope to develop further is a filtration system targeting microplastics in the ocean.

It is my sincere wish to protect the natural environment as much as I can because it is part of the planet we call home. There is no Planet B. I hope to raise greater awareness of how our actions are impacting the environment, the Antarctic, and environmental conservation within my community and beyond.

I believe that if we pull together our strengths and effort to take concrete action, there is hope that we would be able to combat climate change.

FUNDRAISING AND EXPENDITURE

I am budgeting an estimated SGD $31,000 for the expedition with the breakdown in the table below:

An estimated SGD $6,000 - $7,000 will be from my personal savings and I am hoping to crowdfund SGD $10,000 to support the Expedition Fee and Return Airfare.

I would love to share my journey with all of you who made this expedition possible. If it is alright, do leave your email in the donation details so that I will be able to keep in touch. I am also happy to connect on LinkedIn!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and supporting me in this expedition.

**UPDATE ON FUNDS TRANSFER

USING CREDIT / DEBIT CARD

All contributions via Credit/Debit Cards will be on hold for 21 days due to PayPal's anti-fraud and verification policy and will only be released after.

USING PAYPAL ACCOUNT

All contributions via PayPal accounts will also be on hold for 21 days but can be released by the sponsor upon confirmation on the PayPal Web Browser 48 hours after the contribution.