ICLEI USA Executive Director Martin Chávez Joins Sir Robert Swan on Antarctica Expedition

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 23, 2011 - Washington, D.C. [March 22, 2011] – ICLEI USA Executive Director and former three-term mayor of Albuquerque, NM, Martin Chávez is joining leading CEOs and environmental experts from around the world on an extraordinary journey to explore the impacts of climate change on the Antarctica. The week-long expedition is led by renowned polar explorer and environmental leader, Sir Robert Swan and will serve to explore and bring awareness of renewable, clean energy efforts and sustainability development to combat the devastating impacts of global climate change.

“I am honored to be joining leading polar expert and environmentalist, Sir Robert Swan on this unique journey to see first-hand how Antarctica is enduring the devastating impact of climate change; the importance of this trip cannot be overstated,” said Martin Chávez. “Antarctica contains 90 percent of the world's sea ice and 70 percent of the world's fresh water. Scientists have noticed that not only are the glaciers melting, the pace of the melting is speeding up. I'm expecting this trip to be eye-opening, and to really reinforce our urgent need to bolster renewable, clean energy and sustainability efforts
to stop this climate crisis.”  

Chávez is attending The Antarctic Renewable Energy Expedition, hosted by environmental group 2041, an organization dedicated to preserving Antarctica by promoting recycling, renewable energy, and sustainable practices. Sir Robert Swan, polar explorer and founder of the group, is the first person in history to walk both the both the North and South poles, and is a tireless advocate of clean energy and conservation.  The year 2041 has special significance since the Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1991 by 24 developing nations, prevents the exploration of fossil fuels in the Antarctic continent for 50 years.

The voyage begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, before crossing the Drake Passage to explore the western coast of Antarctica, home of the statuesque glaciers of Neko Harbor. The trip will also include a visit to King George Island, site of the first education station built with sustainable products and powered solely by renewable energy.  Most notably, expeditionists will visit the remnants of the Larsen Ice Shelf known as “Larsen B;” once an ice shelf larger than the state of Rhode Island, it disintegrated over a three-week period in 2002 as a result of global warming.
In addition to spending considerable time on treks across glaciers and sea ice, Chávez and the group will participate in a number of lectures on the wildlife, history, and ecology of Antarctica as well as presentations on the importance of renewable energy.

More on Group2041 and the great explorations of Sir Robert Swan can be found at www.2041.com

About ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA

ICLEI USA’s membership represents some of the most aggressive and innovative climate action happening in the United States including: innovative building codes in New York, carbon neutrality goals in Austin, light rail in Portland, renewable energy in San Jose to energy efficiency in North Little Rock – ICLEI USA’s members are moving forward on lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions and bolstering their sustainability efforts right now.  For more information, please visit: www.icleiusa.org

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About ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA

ICLEI USA’s membership represents some of the most aggressive and innovative climate action happening in the United States including: innovative building codes in New York, carbon neutrality goals in Austin, light rail in Portland, renewable energy in San Jose to energy efficiency in North Little Rock – ICLEI USA’s members are moving forward on lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions and bolstering their sustainability efforts right now. For more information, please visit: www.icleiusa.org