Whaling once devastated Antarctica's whale population, but it has since recovered. An expedition led by the British Antarctic Survey counted a 55 blue Antarctic whales during a 2020 trip.
The group of 177 young environmental leaders visited Antarctica in mid to late March, when temperatures on the continent were 40°C above normal. It even rained during the trip. All photos: Athra Khamis
The members of the 2041 ClimateForce: Antarctica Expedition came from 37 countries, four of whom were from the UAE – Athra Khamis, Mahra Al Murawwi, Sayesha Dogra and Winston Cowie.
The group was led by Sir Robert Swan, who, 30 years ago, was the first man to walk to the North and South poles.
Athra Khamis was sponsored by Masdar for the trip.
Ms Khamis is a Youth 4 Sustainability Future Sustainability Leader for Masdar.
The young environmental leaders explored the area, including Deception Island, an active volcano located in the South Shetland Islands. The island, one of the only places in the world where ships can sail into the centre of a volcano, was once home to a whaling station. Photo: Athra Khamis
The trip was organized by the 2041 Foundation to allow global youth leaders to witness first hand the effects of climate change on the continent.
Winston Cowie, who is marine policy manager at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, acted as the programme’s director.
The four UAE members of the expedition travelled for 30 hours to reach the continent.
Ms Khamis said the experience was emotional because of the breath-taking beauty, but also because of the very obvious negative effect human beings have had on the continent.
Ms Khamis said the trip inspired her to step up her actions against climate change.
During the trip, Concordia station, on the Antarctic Plateau, hit a record temperature of minus 11.8°C, more than 40°C above normal.
Whaling once devastated Antarctica's whale population, but it has since recovered. An expedition led by the British Antarctic Survey counted a 55 blue Antarctic whales during a 2020 trip.
The group of 177 young environmental leaders visited Antarctica in mid to late March, when temperatures on the continent were 40°C above normal. It even rained during the trip. All photos: Athra Khamis
The members of the 2041 ClimateForce: Antarctica Expedition came from 37 countries, four of whom were from the UAE – Athra Khamis, Mahra Al Murawwi, Sayesha Dogra and Winston Cowie.
The group was led by Sir Robert Swan, who, 30 years ago, was the first man to walk to the North and South poles.
Athra Khamis was sponsored by Masdar for the trip.
Ms Khamis is a Youth 4 Sustainability Future Sustainability Leader for Masdar.
The young environmental leaders explored the area, including Deception Island, an active volcano located in the South Shetland Islands. The island, one of the only places in the world where ships can sail into the centre of a volcano, was once home to a whaling station. Photo: Athra Khamis
The trip was organized by the 2041 Foundation to allow global youth leaders to witness first hand the effects of climate change on the continent.
Winston Cowie, who is marine policy manager at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, acted as the programme’s director.
The four UAE members of the expedition travelled for 30 hours to reach the continent.
Ms Khamis said the experience was emotional because of the breath-taking beauty, but also because of the very obvious negative effect human beings have had on the continent.
Ms Khamis said the trip inspired her to step up her actions against climate change.
During the trip, Concordia station, on the Antarctic Plateau, hit a record temperature of minus 11.8°C, more than 40°C above normal.
Whaling once devastated Antarctica's whale population, but it has since recovered. An expedition led by the British Antarctic Survey counted a 55 blue Antarctic whales during a 2020 trip.
