What should those interested in journeying to Antarctica consider, whether they are a CEO or a politician or a traveler?
First, they need to make sure their travel is as carbon neutral as possible and follow strict guidelines so physically they don’t make any impact on
the landscape. Second, support people like us who are trying to protect this extraordinary place. And lastly, use their expedition story to do that—go forth and get the message out to preserve it. Because we need people to know what will be lost if they don’t.
As you look ahead to 2041, what gives you energy and optimism?
When you’re a polar explorer like me who goes to the heart of Antarctica, if you don’t have hope, you die. It’s important that one has inspiring stories that can engage the broadest number of people possible, not just the C-suite or the people in power. It would be really easy for us to be negative and tell spectacularly bad stories to get people’s attention. But we have to be positive and tell hopeful stories. That’s one of the reasons that we’re going back to the South Pole at the end of this year. We can show people we’re following through and using new innovations and technologies like fuel from carbon in the atmosphere. Our expedition is about spreading hope in a world that’s rather gloomy right now.