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Help Sukanya Reach Antarctica for a Greener Future

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My Background Info:

Hi, I'm Sukanya Saikia, the campaign starter.  I'm currently a PhD student at the National University of Ireland, Galway. My research investigates the climate change and urbanization impact on wastewater management systems. I have been born and brought up in Assam, India and have experienced climate change effects myself with the devastating floods that ravage my homeland every year claiming many many lives. 

Reason behind this Fundraiser:

I have been involved in climate change and sustainability projects since 2013. I'm very passionate about these issues and all my past actions and thoughts have manifested into  this brilliant prospect that I have received. Coming March, I will be one of the first women from Assam to journey to Antarctica on the  2041 ClimateForce International Antarctic Expedition!!! I'm also the first from NUI Galway to be selected for this mission! I was chosen from among hundreds of applicants from all around the world by the 2041 Foundation to participate in this 12-day Leadership-on-the-Edge Program.


The 2041 Foundation is established by Sir Robert Swan, OBE. He is the first person to walk to both the Earth's Poles, a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, an environmental and sustainability champion who has dedicated his entire life for the preservation of the fragile ecosystems of the polar regions. Each year, he takes a group of dedicated climate change fighters and environmentalists south to the Antarctic for an intensive and immersive training program. This March 2022, I'm honored to be one of those team members.

This year's Expedition is crucial because in 20 years, i.e., in the year 2041, The Antarctic Treaty that protects the continent of Antarctica from any kind of mining activities, is up for debate, amendments or even a possible cancellation. This would be catastrophic for the ecosystem of Antarctica and also for the entire planet!

The aim of this Expedition is to train and inspire young leaders in up-to-date climate change, sustainability and clean energy skills. It would provide a platform to engage in discussion and exchange ideas with world-class climate and sustainability leaders and help build strong collaborations. This would help me implement those ideas to build sustainable and climate-resilient communities, businesses and governments. This would also enable me with leadership skills so that I can advocate to preserve Antarctica for science and peace. In the past, renowned organisations like NASA, Cisco, Accenture, has sent their delegates to this Program!!


Call for support: 

I am one of the first women from Assam, India, a population of 30 million, to be selected to join this global movement. By supporting me, empower more women like me from all across the world to dream big, be the change and lead. Encourage more men and women to be passionate and caring about the planet!

Being a PhD student, I have the aspiration but lack the financial support to complete this expedition. I know this past year has been hard on all of us, but despite all the struggles, we have all managed to keep our passions alive! I have always worked towards sustainability and my passion is to come up with new ideas to lead a more sustainable living. I applied for this dangerous yet soul-satisfying mission so that we all can move towards a cleaner and greener world. This Expedition is for the whole planet as one community, and I feel responsible for creating a better world for the next generation! Although I have been selected after a meticulous selection process, this Expedition will not be possible without your financial support.

Help me in meeting my fundraising target and enable me in undertaking this once in a lifetime training so I can work for the preservation of Antarctica! I would use this experience to build a strong network so that I can implement real-world solutions and on-the-ground climate action. And if my thoughts and actions resonate with you, join me in saving this only one planet that we call home! Let the next generation know that this continent is safe, because of the efforts you and I have made! After all, the climate of the whole world depends on the climate of Antarctica! Please support in whatever way you can. No contributions is small. You can donate and share it among your friends and family so that I can reach my target sooner. I really appreciate your time and your support will never be taken for granted. As a token of appreciation, I would like to thank you with some rewards so please keep scrolling!
You are looking at young leaders working for peace and science in Antarctica and for the whole world communities! I could be one of them if you support me :)

More about me:

If you have scrolled so far, you probably are a sustainability enthusiast yourself and would like to know more about me! My upbringing and my education has shaped my ideas and life because of which I deeply care about the environment. I am also a very empathetic person which influences my actions. From adopting an Orangutan in Indonesia who was displaced by the deforestation of the rainforests, to working with tea garden workers helping them adapt to the changing climate, to supporting various conservation projects initiated by different organisations, I do my best at an individual level to protect our beloved planet. Coming from Assam, I have always been surrounded by nature where the mighty Brahmaputra flows. I have been blessed to visit lush tea gardens and magnificent one-horned rhinoceros at the Kaziranga National Park often. I'm an extrovert and love interacting with new people and cultures. I feel differences are beautiful! Dancing, yoga and writing stories and looking at dog and other animal videos are some of my other passions in life! 

After the Expedition I am going to:
1) Spread awareness about the Antarctic Treaty and get people engaged to discuss about these issues.
2) Share insights on the journey and details about the Leadership Program, so we all can work together to build sustainable communities.
3) Promote the significance of clean energy, and welcome the idea that if it can be used in such a harsh climate as that of Antarctica, it can be used anywhere in the world.
4) Collaborate with the people I meet in the Expedition to work for a sustainable global community.

If you want to keep updated about this life changing Expedition and also my actions, you can follow me on:

Facebook: @SukanyaTowardsSustainability
Instagram: @sukanya.saikia

Additional Info: 

For me to take part in this Expedition, I need to raise approximately 18000 €. A breakup of the expenses is provided below:

12 days Accommodation, Food, and the whole training program by world-class leaders: 14000 €
Gears and Equipment: Approximately 500 - 1000 €
Return flight tickets to Argentina, Visa, Travel Insurance: 2500 €

This fundraiser has been started in Ireland and hence the target amount will be raised in Euros. The target amount is set at 9000 € which will help me cover some of the costs of the Expedition. I don't want to overwhelm people with a huge amount as I understand the limits of each person. I have to deposit the entire Expedition cost by 1st May 2021. I am hoping to collect the remaining funds through another crowdfunding from friends, family and kind strangers in India and through sponsorship.


The Expedition proudly supports Leave No Trace, among other sustainable and responsible outdoor ethics as part of that I will leave no trace but just leave my footprints behind in Antarctica!

Appreciation:

I would like to appreciate each one of you, who has taken out the time to read about this Expedition and a big thank you in advance for your donations! To all my friends and family, and all the acquaintances who have crossed paths with me, thank you for making me who I am! I'm so grateful for all your presence in my life and thank you for your support. To all the kind strangers who decided to support me, I'm hopeful for a better world for people like you! 

REWARDS as a token of appreciation!


Media coverage: Media  Dainik Assam coverage   Irish Times article  Galway Advertiser  Student Independent Network 
 
Note: I have added the links related to this expedition below, if you want to learn more about it.

Links:

Expedition Trailer  2041 Foundation  Expedition Webpage  Call for Support  Robert Swan Ted Talk  Robert Swan TedxTalk2
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • €25 
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • €5 
    • 2 yrs
  • Ana Day
    • €5 
    • 2 yrs
  • Kate Uí Chíobháin
    • €25 
    • 2 yrs
  • Sam Geraghty
    • €10 
    • 2 yrs
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Sukanya Saikia
Organizer

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