FAQ

To engage and inspire youth to preserve Antarctica, Robert Swan set up an organization called ‘2041 Foundation’, named after the year in which the Antarctic Treaty can be renegotiated. 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.” To this end the treaty prohibits military activity except in support of science, prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste, promotes scientific research and the exchange of data, and holds all territorial claims in abeyance. Robert came to the realization that the rate at which our world is developing may cause people to begin exploiting Antarctica in search of additional resources. The vision of 2041 is to preserve Antarctica, while developing committed leaders from from every corner of society who work together to create a sustainable world: Enlightened, Empowered, Engaged.

In 1989, Robert Swan became the first person in history to walk to both the South Pole and the North Pole. He was awarded the Polar Medal by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Youth. His experiences at the Poles allowed Swan to witness the effects of climate change firsthand, and he shifted his life’s purpose to the preservation of Antarctica by combatting the effects of climate change through the promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability. Swan is one of history’s greatest survivalists, and has spent his life doing the impossible and inspiring the world. As a world renowned orator, he has traveled to all corners of the globe to inspire and build leaders in order to create a more sustainable world. Robert is on a 50-year mission to help preserve Antarctica and our planet. His story of unbelievable spirit will take you on a journey of inspiration, courage, and humility.

Barney Swan was born in the United Kingdom, raised in tropical Far North Australia, and now lives and works in California. With degrees in Business and Multimedia, Barney co-directs 2041’s expeditions and ventures. Over the last 5 years, he has applied and trained skills in outdoor leadership, risk management, technical sailing, and project management.

He is currently preparing to walk 600 miles to the South Pole on renewable energy supplied by Shell, ZeroMass, Checkerspot, and Siemens. Using this journey as a platform for engagement, he will be working with sponsors, and partners to empower audiences with solutions, dialogues, and measurable actions plans surrounding sustainable development. To Learn More about Barney click below.

www.BarneySwan.com

26 years ago, French ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau gave Robert Swan a 50-year mission to save Antarctica from the realities of climate change. Jacques urged Robert to engage young people and promote the use of renewable energy. As a result of this challenge, Robert founded the 2041 Foundation, and dedicated his life to the preservation of Antarctica through the promotion of sustainability and renewable energy. After leading expeditions to Antarctica for 14 years, a new partnership has been created with The Explorer’s Passage to infuse travel and history to the already existing program in order to use adventure as a vehicle to preserve the history of our planet. This will be a special voyage only one month after Robert and Barney Swan return from their 600 mile clean energy march to the South Pole. Together, 2041 and The Explorer’s Passage want to materialize this feat by creating a movement of energy/climate champions. ClimateForce is that movement, and the voyage is called ‘ClimateForce: Antarctica 2018.’

2041 has partnered with The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on the IAE/ClimateForce: Antarctica 2018 Expedition.

The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) is an historical based adventure travel company offering world class expeditions across the globe. ​Each adventure offered by The Explorer’s Passage tells a unique story, and provides guests with the opportunity to ​step back in time into the boots of some of the world’s most profound explorers, leaders and luminaries whose courage, virtue and vision have changed the course of history. This element of the TEP experience, which we simply call ‘The Story’, unfolds seamlessly throughout your travels, bestowing on you a newfound appreciation and understanding of the people and places we visit.

The expedition fee includes all the basics such as hotel and ship accommodations, food, Zodiac cruises, continental landings and excursions, on-shore activities such as hiking, informative lectures on wildlife, ornithology, geology, geography & history. Also included are exclusive access to Robert and Barney Swan’s story of their 600 mile clean-energy walk to the South Pole (SPEC), the ‘Leadership on the Edge’ program led by a world-class team of experts and coaches, unique workshops in storytelling, career-building and public-speaking, an elaborate media tool-kit, access to our 3,500 member global alumni network, and a lifelong ClimateForce Membership.

For additional details including detailed pricing, ​please visit this page.

We are working hard to minimize our impact from this expedition so that we can help preserve Antarctica for generations. We not only have a great respect for all things history, but also go out of our way to not leave any “history” behind! We are proud members of both Sustainable Travel International and Leave No Trace, and incorporate their principles throughout each of our adventures. Consistent with our mission’s philosophy, we also pay special care to our carbon footprint. We will be offsetting the carbon impact of each guest’s ship portion of this expedition, and will provide the opportunity for each of you to partner with us further in the endeavor. the Expedition will be certified as CarbonNeutral.

The South Pole Energy Challenge (SPEC) is the world’s first polar expedition powered solely by renewable energy sources. Over the 600 mile trek Rob and Barney will use a mixture of solar and advanced biofuels to power their cooking stove and keep warm in temperatures as low as minus 40°C, as they walk over some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth.

It is our belief that an expedition of this magnitude and purpose is necessary to show the world that we as a planet need to take action to combat climate change. The planet is warming at an increasingly rapid rate and if we don’t make changes in the way that we utilize energy then the rise in temperatures will have a devastating effect on the future of planet earth.