Voyage Journal

To All who made our visit to Copenhagen and participation in the COP15 a success… RWE, Essent, Giordano, Coco-Cola, Energy Crossroads, previous IAE and BP team members.

It was wonderful working, meeting and visiting with you all. Thank you for all the support!

Even if the World Leaders cannot come up with a conclusion at Copenhagen… we have reached one… with people like You this World does have a chance! I think it is best for us to stop awaiting this COP process and turn to our personal efforts. I am sure we can do better.

Kind regards, Laura

Robert’s lecture

And another big thank you to our partners at Giordano

15 December, 2009e

What a cold, cold day! The chill wind of the day before gave way to fluffy white clusters of ice falling fast. Robert and his son, Barney, arrived to a packed room of young people who had that morning completed a two week electric scooter ride from Den Bosch to Copenhagen, ‘The Road to Copenhagen’. Introduced by Alexandra from Essent, Robert proceeded to tell the Antarctic story, that of leadership and inspiration.

At the end he was handed a ‘Manifesto of the Road to Copenhagen’ from the young people that he is going to take to the next World summit in 2012.

All came down to the yacht. We had the ChinaYouth COP15 team already onboard and some of our IAE 09 team there. Our family was growing! The snow started coming down fast again, covering those on the wharf waiting for their turn to come onboard, chat to Robert and be given the tour of 2041 by the crew…ten on…ten off.. slowly and don’t slip…twenty on…ten off. ‘2041’ loved all the attention. And as the light started fading so too came the time for visitors to go to their next events. A smile touched my face as I saw them leave reluctantly.. they now felt a little of what we feel…’2041’ has spun her magic again.

Robert and the crew proceeded to our next event… an open lecture held at a local university. What a mixed group - students, specialists in their own fields, friends from IAE 05!, media and business people. All were transported away and then brought back. The conclusion of not just Antarctica’s fate but that of the world was being discussed just two metro stops away. One could feel the tension. We had tried to go to the Bella Center earlier that morning and were sent to the ‘short’ queue (so much for the extra accreditation). The prospect of standing in line for 6 hours was not inspirational. How are we to contribute? Even leaders and lecturers were at a loss as we all stood outside. We decided to go to the KlimaForum, how differently things were being approached there.

I believe that we’re at a time of not just an environmental crossroads but a personal one. We are dependent on the environment and the environment is dependent on us. A little respect would go along way.

Best LB

Our IATE team in Antarctica decided to show their support for the COP 15 conference and demonstrate their commitment to an ambitious, fair, and binding global climate deal.

2041 closely supported 350’s efforts in their October 24th International Day of Climate Action, and is happy to promote their efforts in Copenhagen.

And . . . from our team in Copenhagen:

Copenhagen and the Climate Change Conference.

2041 and the Voyage for Cleaner Energy arrived here in Copenhagen on the third of December after a brisk sail up from Kiel in Germany. On first impression, it is hard to ignore the striking architecture of the city, new and old, edgy and curvaceous, built to complement one another, an example of how with proper planning and co-ordination, a city can fulfill its commitment to its residents, whilst keeping in touch with its surrounding environment, perhaps thats why this venue was lobbied to be the venue of this historic opportunity to avert our current trends towards our planet, our home.

On the streets there appears to be an air of optimism with a taint of frustration, the people genuinely want change, a better life, a healthier life, they want our planet to be prevented from choking, and want the economics powers involved to help. The resent protest, of upward of twenty thousand people marched to the Bella center last Saturday, where the main COP 15 is been held, with only around 500 arrests, was, I think, a success. To be truthful I saw more angry and infuriated people in the cue for registration at the Bella center than during the actual protest, but the current situation sees about thirty thousand people trying to access a venue limited to fifteen thousand, with many leaving it to the last moment to register, I just hope this isn’t a theme to be carried throughout the talks within the actual event.

Inside the COP15, its pretty much divided up into three main section; talks and presentations, delegates meeting rooms and offices and finally the side shows, the Delegates are buzzing around their hive of rooms and offices, hopefully “doing the Job”, oblivious to the general observer like myself, I feel more comfortable cruising the side shows, with their stands, products and paraphernalia from all over the world. Nationalities from every corner of the globe, talking about their different experiences and their plight for their particular organization. It boggles my mind to actual think, “I’m at a UN conference to prevent the destruction of our environment.”

I really hope the aptly named “Hopenhagen” lives up to its name, there is a genuine positive momentum, our world is changing, and us with it. The race is on to save the environment for future generation, but it sometimes feels like not everyone has heard the starting gun.

The Captain

Good Day All

Robert will be here for only one day on 15th Dec.

He will be giving an inspirational talk about Antarctica and Leadership. Please tell all your friends and colleagues. All are welcome. Details as follows:

Voyage for Cleaner Energy

Free Lecture by renowned Polar Explorer

7pm on 15 Dec. @ Tietgen Kollegiet

Rued Langgaards Vej 10-18, Entrance 16

Nearest tube station is Islands Brygge or University. Be inspired by Antarctica and Professor ROBERT SWAN O.B.E.

I hope you will all be able to join us.

Kind regards,

Laura

A very fresh misty morning broke upon the day. We’re berthed here at Nyhavn, a picturesque and colourful waterfront, canal and popular entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. The canal is packed with old wooden ships and lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and numerous bars, cafés and restaurants, and serves as a heritage harbour. The weather isn’t so inviting as to encourage much general strolling and meandering along. People seem to prefer the warmth of a side café, snuggling under a heated umbrella, covered by a sheepskin rug sipping on their Grogg. Cant say I blame them.

Those who are here for the COP15 seem to be buzzing around trying to be at three events at once. The exhibits at the Bella Centre have also proved very informative. Ranging from alternative energy studies such as using seaweed as biodiesel, ethanol and paper. Gas union, nuclear plants, fight against deforestation, transport associations, Christian & Charity organizations, Climate studies, aviation, Universities, and various countries all on show.

Back in the city, ESA’s Inauguration ceremony – Understanding Climate Change from Space - was another eye opener and very interesting to see how from even such a great distance these changes are perceptible. It’s fascinating how from space humans can measure the carbon effect, ocean warming, sea ice reduction and possible predictions for the future. Perhaps if we saw the whole of the bigger picture….

‘Earth seen from space is an extraordinarily beautiful place. Orbiting around our globe, its colour changes continuously from blue, to white, to green, to red and yellow and then to thousands of dots of light from cities on the night side. But at the horizon, where the deep black of space begins, there is a thin layer, which shines stunningly in red and orange at times when the Sun moves behind it – our atmosphere. It looks so fragile, and one thinks: there within this tiny layer, is the only place in the universe where humans can live, outside of a spaceship. One day it might be different, but until then – we must all of us together take care of this atmosphere and our beautiful planet!’ – Chris Fuglesang, ESA astronaught.