Support the Official Hong Kong Youth Delegation for the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctica Expedition

The Campaign

Hi, my name is Mark and I have been selected as the Hong Kong delegate for the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctica expedition led by the renowned Polar Explorer Robert Swan in 2022. Along with 90 other participants from around the world, we will be traveling to Antarctica from 24th March to 4th April to observe the changes that are happening due to the climate crisis in real-time.

During the expedition, I’ll be guided through the unique ‘Leadership on the Edge’ program by Robert, which consists of a wide range of workshops for skill and leadership development, the latest climate change training and lectures, as well as sustainability education, delivered by experts across different fields.

The 2041 ClimateForce Antarctica Expedition aims to inspire and nurture passionate climate leaders to build a more sustainable world after witnessing the impacts of climate change firsthand, through advocacy work to create changes at different layers of society in terms of climate actions and sustainability.

This campaign is to SEEK YOUR SUPPORT to raise a total of HKD 160,000 (including every expenditure of the expedition) so that I could have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Hong Kong as a youth in this expedition.

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Who am I

I am a year 3 undergraduate studying Environmental Science at the University of Hong Kong with an intense interest in climate policy, climate justice, and energy. I aspire to make a difference through public policy, research, and advocacy work in relation to climate change.

My passion to conserve the environment and combat climate change stems from my volunteering experiences in Costa Rica and Fiji back in high school. Working alongside the locals in both the rainforest community and the remote island village, I noticed a unique connection and delicate interdependence between humans and the environment. Witnessing firsthand the damages of climate change done to the local communities and their vulnerability, I decided to be a climate advocate by doing my part to help mitigate climate change and conserve the environment.

With the lack of focus and awareness on climate change in Hong Kong, I co-founded Network of Environmental Student Societies (NESS), a youth-led organisation that aims to inspire youth organising the first-ever Hong Kong Climate Emergency Summit (HKCES) for students in secondary schools and universities. Through this conference, we aim to build understanding, raise youth awareness, form a climate action platform to facilitate meaningful dialogue, and equip youth with practical skills to tackle climate change.

As a climate advocate, this expedition is an invaluable opportunity to witness the impacts of climate change on the Last Wilderness of our planet. Living in Hong Kong, we are not being affected directly by the impacts of climate change, resulting in the ‘not in my backyard’ mentality in regards to climate change. With that, it prompts inefficient climate actions and slow development of the climate movement. And this HAS TO CHANGE. The experiences and insights gained from the Antarctica Expedition will be used as powerful advocacy tools to create changes and generate momentum in our community. As a youth representative, I aspire to bring my learnings and skills back from this expedition to my home so that I could raise public awareness and advance both individual and collective climate actions in Hong Kong.

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Why fund me and how to support?

Through this expedition, I will be part of a vast movement of change leaders from around the world, to be in a network of like-minded climate activists, leaders, and professionals. Apart from gaining skillsets, and climate knowledge, I will have access to a diverse set of ideas, resources, and connections within the ClimateForce network so that I could construct effective solutions addressing the potential climate change impacts as well as promote climate actions as a ClimateForce ambassador.

Photo: The past 2041 ClimateForce Antarctica Expedition participants.

Regardless of the amount of donation, any contribution would be greatly appreciated! With every donation made towards this campaign, it helps with fulfilling the mission of the 2041 ClimateForce, conserving the environment, protecting Antarctica, and combating climate change. Apart from donations, you can also support the mission by sharing this campaign on social media and with your friends, family, and acquaintances! All exceeding donations would be donated to Climate Action Network.

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What is 2041?

Antarctica is a protected Pole, pristine and untouched by any kind of exploration. A 50-year treaty prohibiting any kind of exploitation in Antarctica ends in 2041. In the year 2041, the fate of Antarctica will be decided. Sir Robert Swan started the “2041” Foundation to spread awareness about climate change, Antarctica’s present condition, and create leaders by 2041 to protect this treaty. Connecting businesses, students, and everyday citizens to the power of the outdoors have always been at the core of 2041. 2041 is working to protect Antarctica and unite those who seek to protect our world and create a more sustainable, clean energy future.

Who is Robert Swan?

Sir Robert Swan is the first person to have walked to both the North and South Poles. He is a polar explorer, a leader in energy innovation, and the founder of the 2041 Foundation. Robert committed to his dream at the age of 11, achieved it with a team after 22 years, and is now, on a 50-year mission to help preserve Antarctica.

In November 2017, Robert Swan, one of history’s greatest explorers went on an expedition to the South Pole with his son Barney, on a mission known as the South Pole Energy Challenge (SPEC). This father and son team skied on a 600-mile journey surviving solely on renewable energy, a first in polar exploration. Their achievement showed the world that if they can survive on renewable energy in the most inhospitable place on earth then we can do so anywhere on the planet.

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What will I do when I get back from the Expedition?

Coming back to Hong Kong, I would make use of my related networks from my community projects and my platform as a HK youth representative for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) to spread the word. On one hand, I would deliver talks and presentations to different actors in the community, ranging from schools, NGOs to corporates; on the other hand, I would schedule interviews with news media and press to reach a wider pool of audience if the opportunity was given. Through interactive engagement, visuals of Antarctica as well as a story-telling approach, I aim to inspire my community to take corresponding climate actions and to encourage actors in different levels of the society to play their part, regardless of the significance or the extent.

Using this expedition experience and my online campaigns as a catalyst, I would gather supports from different stakeholders through roundtable discussions and meetings, work with grassroots NGOs to construct climate advocacy, development, and strategic proposals to advance the climate actions of Hong Kong.

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More information

About 2041

About the Expedition

Expedition trailer

*Crowdfunding Instagram platform: @mark2041hongkong

*All image credits go to 2041 ClimateForce