My name is Monika Maini and I am from New Delhi, India. I have been selected from among hundreds of applicants to be part of a 150-person team journeying to Antarctica on the 2041 Climate Force Antarctic Expedition in March 2023. The team comprises citizens from every continent (except Antarctica itself), united in a common mission to benefit our home planet. 

The total expedition cost comes to approx INR 21L. Through this crowdfunding campaign, I aim to raise INR 10L or more. I will fund any balance amount from my pocket and other sponsorships.

QUICK FACTS

• It's a 12-day expedition in Antarctica from 17th to 28th March 2023.
• The total cost for the expedition is INR 21L.
• The 150 member team is on a mission to fight climate change.
• The aim is to realize the urgent need for real-world solutions to address climate change and protect the environment for generations to come.

MY JOURNEY

Currently working as an expert in enabling the people in employability, life success skills and attitude with a mission to help create an extraordinary life for themselves. “Having a strong attitude and positive outlook” to live life is what I have followed in over a decade long experience as an academician. I have led my own venture Elite Academy, held leadership roles in other startups History Diaries, The Skill Campus, UDGS (non for profit), GOAL (animal welfare group) and I am presently associated with Grow More Avenues as a Life and Leadership Coach. 

As a 12 year, I understood the value of life when I lost the very source of my life, my parents and started living every moment of life to the fullest, leading from the front in Ecology Protection and Awareness, Politics, Sports and Performing Arts at college which shaped my life. These life lessons taught me the perspective of living beyond yourself - Learn every day, share knowledge and wisdom; touch as many lives with compassion as possible and make mother Earth a beautiful place for mankind.

I aim to raise 10L or more through crowdfunding and the balance amount through generous sponsors. I will be using the funds raised to go for the expedition next year, in 2023. 

WHAT IS THE 2041 MISSION ABOUT? WHY NOW?

For decades, the effects of climate change have been more and more visible in the Antarctic: glaciers and ice shelves melting and breaking off prematurely, sea ice disappearing, critically disrupted ecosystems and food chains, and more. A 50-year treaty prohibiting any kind of resource exploitation in Antarctica ends in 2041. Sir Robert Swan, the first person to have walked to both the North and South Poles, started the ”2041” Foundation to spread solutions to mitigate climate change, to bring attention to Antarctica’s present condition, and to create leaders by 2041 to protect this treaty.  

As the world’s most dynamic Antarctic sea expedition, it is a unique 12-day educational journey by Sir Robert Swan and team to ‘the Last Great Wilderness on Earth’. It is an opportunity for participants to connect and learn from the natural environments most affected by climate change, and to realize the urgent need for real-world solutions to address these issues. There is no better teacher than the immediacy of “being there”.

THE ANTARCTICA TREATY

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the 12 nations and now has 52 signatories, 28 Consultative Parties which became effective on 23 June 1961and has been recognised as one of the most successful international agreements. 

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed in Madrid on October 4, 1991, and entered into force in 1998. It designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science”. The Environment Protocol sets forth basic principles applicable to human activities in Antarctica and prohibits all activities relating to Antarctic mineral resources, except for scientific research. 

The primary purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure "in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord."

The current moratorium that bans drilling and mining in Antarctica can be reviewed after the 50-year anniversary of the ratification, which will occur in 2048. However, Robert’s goal is to increase awareness now and garner support by the year 2041 (the 50-year anniversary of the signing) to ensure the continued protection of the Antarctic Treaty so that the last great wilderness on Earth is never exploited.

ABOUT ROBERT SWAN

Robert Swan is the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Poles. He is a polar explorer, a leader in energy innovation, an inspirational speaker and founder of the 2041 Foundation. After seeing first-hand the effects of Climate Change, Robert has dedicated himself to protecting Antarctica and our planet at large.

As explained Mr Swan himself : https://youtu.be/PPWFMM-Iv9g

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

The aim in life is to make my small contribution towards making this planet better not only for the current generation but also for future generations. I wish to inspire my friends, family, colleagues, seniors, peers and community by acquiring a global perspective about Environment and Climate Change. I wish to become a motivator and role model to emphasise the behavioural change in people making them understand that development does not necessarily mean harming the environment.

I wish to expand the horizons of my understanding of Climate change through this expedition and to utilise my public dealing abilities to expand the reach of this campaign of Climate change and turn it into a massive movement of the people because only when everyone is on board can we be successful in saving and restoring the glory of our beautiful planet.

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