CLP Group to Join the 2011 International Antarctic Expedition

A national hero once said that the youth is the hope of the Motherland. True enough, today we need young leaders who will step up and take the lead in making the world a better place for everyone. Following CLP’s highly successful CLP Green Park that was launched last year where in a total of HK$322, 265 was donated to partner organizations of the beneficial green project is another bold move to further the cause of saving Mother Earth from utter destruction. This coming March 3 to 18, 2011, Hong Kong-based electric company CLP Group will join the cause to spread the awareness of climate change to the whole world by sending in five of its bold, young and courageous leaders dubbed as CLP Cool Captains to the International Antarctic Expedition 2011.

The International Antarctic Expedition 2011 or IAE 2011 will start this coming March 3, 2011 and it will showcase a number of missions such as exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and studying the continent’s weakening and fragile environment. To officially start in Ushuaia, Argentina, the participants will undergo intensive training through Robert Swan’s “Leadership on the Edge” personal leadership and sustainability program, which has been tested and used by giant companies such as Coca-Cola and Shell. It was Robert Swan who said that the greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. And it is for this reason that the IAE was developed.

The primary goal for this year’s IAE is to create young passionate ambassadors for the environment across the globe. The IAE believes that in order to save Mother Earth - particularly in Antarctica where the ice is rapidly melting – young leaders must be inspired to be the movers and shakers of creating change. And what could be a better way than to immerse these young people into the actual condition and state of Antarctica and its continent. The whole duration of the program (2 weeks in all) isn’t just an ordinary nature trip or a cruise; moreover, it is a mission in itself – a mission that will impact the perspective of the whole team on a personal level.

The IAE Program will focus on personal development, improving communication skills and team building – all essential elements of leadership. There will be distinguished guest experts from the various fields in the environment, developmental studies, management and leadership to conduct the necessary workshops and lessons to the participating team members. And probably the best part of the expedition is when each team member will get the chance to become a part of the 2041 Alumni. 2041 is a global company dedicated to the preservation of the Antarctic. Robert Swan, being the first-ever person to walk on both Poles unassisted, currently works as the president of 2041.

Some of the challenging tasks that the CLP Cool Captains will undertake include visiting the harsh terrains of Antarctica, record temperate changes daily, make a detailed account of one’s own experience, attend debates and trainings, understand the people living in the continent, test batteries that will store energy and to monitor wind turbines and solar panels used in the base. So it is with great pride and honor that CLP Group will be sending again another batch of young heroic leaders to the International Antarctic Expedition this year. Indeed, there is an urgent need to save our planet. With time running out, the best time to act is now. “In our own backyards we can take small achievable steps to protect and preserve the beauty and integrity of our environment and our planet for future generations.” – Robert Swan, OBE.