Tag Archives: explorer

19-year-old Explorer to set World Record on Antarctica Adventure

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Earlier this week, 19-year-old explorer, Parker Liautaud made the announcement that he will attempt to set the record for the fastest journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole on skis. Parker will begin his journey in December and will be spending Christmas Day in freezing conditions.

On his journey to the South Pole, Parker will be undertaking three distinct scientific research programmes to contribute to a better understanding of how climate is changing; including testing a lightweight weather station, the ColdFacts 3000BX for the first time in Antarctica.

9-year-old Explorer to set World Record on an Antarctic Adventure

 

On Monday, The Willis Resilience Expedition brought a taste of Antarctica to London as Parker Liautaud tested his camp and equipment for his world record attempt in front of the iconic Tower Bridge. The ambitious teen froze London with 500 square meters of snow; a full polar camp with a true expedition breakfast on offer so passersby can understand what a day in the life of a polar explorer would be like, giving the public the ultimate survival experience. In preparation for his expedition, Parker set up camp in his expedition tent inside the Antarctic Chamber: a large glass box filled with snow, set beneath the iconic backdrop of Tower Bridge.

 

At the young age of 19, Parker has already debated climate change with Al Gore at the UN’s Social Good Summit, as well as studying at Yale University and has already completed three trips to the North Pole. We’re impressed.

Roz Savage, Explorer and Environmentalist, On Rowing & Being Green.

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1) What inspired you to become an explorer and environmentalist?

In 2004 I had an environmental epiphany. I was reading a book about the Hopi tribe, and their belief that we have to look after the Earth if we want it to look after us. That hit me with all the force of a fundamental truth. I was horrified that I hadn’t realized this very obvious fact sooner, and appalled at my past carelessness in over-consumption and careless disposal. I resolved that I would do what I could to wake other people up to the fact that we can’t carry on treating the Earth this way and expect to have a healthy future.

But I needed a platform for my message, and I found it in rowing solo across oceans.

2) What kind of training did you do to prepare for rowing the pacific?

Training is really the least part of my preparations. I have a pretty relaxed attitude to training, spending between 30 and 90 minutes a day in the gym (depending on my other commitments) – pretty much a “fitness for life” philosophy, i.e. the kind of training that any person would do to maintain strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, and to keep their body relatively fit and lean.
The much bigger parts of my preparation are fundraising, refurbishing the boat, arranging logistics and media coverage.

3) What are your strongest memories from rowing the pacific?

The sad memories would include seeing pieces of plastic suspended throughout the water column, even thousands of miles from land. The great ocean wilderness is far from pristine now.

Good memories would include the wildlife I saw – whales, dolphins, turtles, pelagic birds, and even a whale shark. And the stars – I love to look up at the stars as I brush my teeth at the end of a long day’s rowing and feel connected to everything.

4) Do you think climate change is a real and immediate threat?

I think it is absolutely real, yes. How can we think that we can keep pumping CO2 into the atmosphere and for it not to have consequences? For a long time humans could get away with more, because there were fewer of us. But now we are nearly 7 billion, and although the world is large, you can take it from someone who has rowed around most of it that it is not large enough to continue to take this abuse.

5) You launched an anti-plastic bag campaign with Greener Upon Thames and Zac Goldsmith. What do you think are the effects of plastic on the environment?

Plastic is just about everywhere now, throughout our ecosystem and getting into our food and our bodies. The real tragedy is that most of the plastic that we generate has a useful life of about 20 minutes (think plastic bags, bottles, and drinking straws) and yet has an afterlife of many decades. It simply makes no sense to make “disposable” items out of an indestructible substance.

6) Who inspires you as a person?

I get inspired by the people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get on with tackling a problem. There is nothing special about these people, other than that they go from complaining to acting. Talk is easy, but we need action. Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, is a particular hero of mine. He is intelligent, well-informed, passionate, and relevant. Anita Roddick was also a real role model for me. I love the way she used her shop windows to wage campaigns on everything from rainforest destruction to human rights.

7) What can people do to be more green?

The first step is to take responsibility, and to recognize that every action counts. If we wait around for governments and corporations to do the right thing, we will be waiting a very long time indeed, and the ecosystem will be damaged beyond repair by then. We all need to recognize that every time we buy something, or throw something away, or choose how to get from A to B, we are casting a vote for the kind of future that we want. We have to cast those votes wisely.

I’d also like to point out that we are not talking about saving the planet. The planet will be fine, given a few billennia. We are talking about saving the human race. We are not as resilient as the planet is, and if we don’t wise up really soon, we will have altered our world so much that it can no longer support human life.

8) Any advice for those wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Or oarstrokes!

There is nothing special about me. I just found a cause that concerned me so deeply that I couldn’t stand by and watch the world go to hell in a handcart. That motivated me to overcome all kinds of fears and limitations. Even now, I occasionally suffer a wobble, and wonder if I can continue – either with the rowing, or with the campaigning. And I just have to remind myself to take it one oarstroke at a time, and I can accomplish almost anything.

9) What’s next?

Indian Ocean this year, North Atlantic next year, and then I hang up my oars and find a less physically strenuous way of cam

16 YEAR-OLD ONE YOUNG WORLD EXPLORER SKIS TO NORTH POLE IN JUST 4 DAYS

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PARKER LIAUTAUD – TEENAGE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNER AND ONE YOUNG WORLD’S FIRST EXPLORER RECORDS ONE OF THE FASTEST EVER TIMES

April 13, 2011 – LONDON – Sixteen-year old arctic explorer, Parker Liautaud has succeeded in his mission to ski to the North Pole in just four days, as one of the youngest people to ever complete the mission.

Today, Parker and his teammate Doug Stoup completed the journey one week ahead of schedule and were the first team to return triumphantly from the North Pole – despite being delayed by three days due to adverse weather conditions.

This is his latest expedition as an ambassador for One Young World, the premier global forum for young people of leadership calibre.

Anticipated to last up to two weeks, Parker Liautaud completed the 112km expedition in 4 days, 2 hours and 47 minutes which puts his mission as one of the fastest Last Degree expeditions to the North Pole in history.

Parker completed his mission as the first One Young World Explorer, a role which supports the One Young World resolution on the environment that calls for international legislative action to ensure carbon emissions reduction targets are both agreed and met by 2020.

Throughout his journey, Parker undertook scientific research for the European Space Agency and the University of Alberta. He made 200 snow thickness measurements every day in accordance with the Pole Track 2005 updated protocol which will now be used in long and short term climate change research.

In 2010, Parker set his goal to become the youngest person to ski to the North Pole when he launched his organisation, The Last Degree, dedicated to inspiring, informing and engaging young people in a dialogue on environmental issues facing the polar regions.

Parker became close to his goal to be the youngest explorer in history to reach the North Pole and made it closer than any other team on the ice at the time. Unfortunately, due to atrocious weather conditions including zero visibility, heavy drifts and strong winds – described by NASA as ‘the worst since records began’- Parker had to be evacuated only 15 miles from the pole.

The extraordinarily high temperatures and open water that prevented Parker completing his first mission highlight the damaging effects of climate change and this remains the focus of his second attempt in 2011.

Throughout his new mission, Parker has been keen to communicate his message about climate change and sent regular updates of his journey from the arctic via Facebook > , Twitter > and YouTube > in addition to the expedition’s website http://oywnorthpole.parkerliautaud.com .

David Jones, co-founder of One Young World and global CEO of Havas, said: ““Parker is a fantastic example of the commitment, drive and leadership of the One Young World ambassadors. His is an inspirational mission to help communicate the environmental challenges facing the polar-regions and build international support for action against climate change. We are really proud to have Parker as the first One Young World Explorer and congratulate his success at reaching the North Pole.”

Parker Liautaud became a One Young World ambassador after attending the inaugural summit in London in February 2010, where 1,000 of the world’s young leaders gathered in London alongside global leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bob Geldof and Kofi Annan to impact global decision making.

Kate Robertson, co-founder of One Young World and UK Group Chairman of Euro RSCG said: “We are proud that Parker has achieved his mission to be one of the youngest people to ever reach the North Pole and has done so in astonishing time. His story is one that will inspire the next-generation of One Young World ambassadors.”

Parker said: “One Young World provides a unique opportunity for young leaders to share their visions, ideas and to have their voice heard on global issues that matter. I am thrilled to be the first One Young World Explorer and will draw attention to the need for government action to address climate change.”

Commenting on Parker’s expedition, Bear Grylls, adventurer and the UK’s Chief Scout, said: “A huge challenge and a huge ambition but such endeavours bring out the best in us. I so admire Parker’s dedication and drive and I know what can be achieved when a project has one’s whole heart and soul in it. I fully support Parker’s determination to bring this important message of climate change to world leaders.”