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Welcome to my story. It began in March 2008 in a small town on the southern tip of Argentina. Within these pages, I hope you’ll find the inspiration I found on my expedition to Antarctica with Robert Swan and the 2041 organization.

Climate change is a reality, and we are on the precipice of crisis. The February 2007 report from the IPCC states: “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increase in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level.”

I can remember another crisis about 25 years ago. Remember the depletion of the ozone layer? Ever wonder what ever happened to that crisis? Thanks to governmental and corporate efforts and protocols to ban the use of CFCs and other substances that are harmful to this critical part of our atmosphere, the ozone layer looks to be stabilized and is projected to repair itself within another 60 years. It’s important to note, however, that the individual efforts of regular citizens helped to solve the crisis with the ozone layer. We stopped buying aerosol hairspray, for instance, and forced the manufacturers to take notice of their declining sales. They took action, thanks to us.

So, here we are again facing an even greater crisis. Solving it starts with us. It starts with turning off the lights, with conserving water, with recycling, with supporting renewable energy, and with electing leaders who will not be afraid to stand with us to demand a change.

So how did I get inspired to act? First, there’s Robert Swan, the first man to walk to both the North and South Poles, and the leader of my expedition to Antarctica. He has dedicated his life to preserving Antarctica and our world. Then I was awakened by this statement, which was concisely and passionately delivered by my good friend, Marcus Ware, an energy executive himself.  “If we are to have a chance of making a major reduction in carbon emissions, at a time of rising populations and increasing demand for energy (up by 50% by 2030), the world needs to make a series of major interventions over the next 5 years. Some of these will take time to implement (building nuclear, implementing a carbon trading scheme), while others need to happen now, by all of us taking actions to reduce energy consumption and using energy more efficiently. If we don’t take these actions NOW, on a global basis, we will look back in 20 years and ask ourselves...what on earth were we thinking...?"

Hearing that, while on a ship in the Antarctic, surrounded by corporate leaders, journalists, artists, students, teachers, and scientists from 26 different countries, shocked me into action. I haven’t looked back. My mission is clear.

I hope you enjoy the story, my pictures, videos, and find useful links to help begin your own story in a  blog section that I’ve entitled “Tales and Tools”. I hope you are inspired to make a difference in the world. Don’t just sit back in silence and observe what has become the greatest threat to the futures of our children.

                                                                                                                    Lauren Wylie

                                                                                                                    New York, NY