Youth4Planet in search for youth to represent S’pore in Arctic expedition

SINGAPORE — The search is on for a youth climate leader to represent Singapore on a 21-day expedition to the High Arctic.

The youth, who must be aged between 16 and 21 years old, will travel to the Arctic in July under the Youth4Arctic programme, part of a three-year series called Youth4Planet.

The programme will involve 12 youths from different countries involving Singapore, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, China, India, Germany, and the United States.

Equipped with mobile phones and tablets, they will have to work together each day and solve science problems and share solutions. They also get a chance to go under glaciers, get up close with polar bears, and work alongside world-renowned scientists such as glacier scientist Professor Alun Hubbard, climate modeller Professor Peter Cox, and oceanographer Professor Erik Van Sebille on a mission which will be broadcasted live daily to connect youths from around the world. 

There will also be a television series of the expedition produced by Unboxed Media, and which will be shown on the National Geographic Channel later this year.

On their return, they will have to attend a Youth Climate Conference and be part of the team behind the 5% Pledge app.

For the programme next year, selected youths will visit the Amazon, while the following year will see youths visit the coral triangle in the western Pacific Ocean.

Unboxed Media founder Liz Courtney, who created the programme, credited her inspiration to a series she directed back in 2010 called Cool School Antarctica. In the documentary, she worked with a team of young explorers to witness climate change and help save the planet. 

Speaking at the launch today (April 16), Ms Courtney said: “The thing that I remembered most was what they said to me was how they felt very sad about their future, they felt unsure, they didn’t feel that they really have a voice to say anything about the planet, which was going to be their future. And they didn’t understand why government and business aren’t doing everything that they possibly could to ensure that they had a future.”

The Arctic, the rainforests and the oceans were selected as sites for the expeditions as these eco-systems help keep the climate system stable. The Arctic and the polar caps act as the air conditioning system of the planet, the rainforests act as storage for carbon emissions, and oceans help drive the global climate system. 

“If we can understand the climate system better, we can inspire the next generation to create solutions to make the future a better place.” Ms Courtney said.

Singapore has a permanent observer status on the Arctic Council. Mr Sam Tan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and for Culture, Community and Youth, will serve as mentor for the selected youth from Singapore.

Speaking at the launch event, he noted that while Singapore is far from the Arctic, developments in the Arctic Circle will have “important implications for Singapore as a low-lying island and international seaport”.

He added that young Singaporeans should take ownership of climate change issues and contribute in any way possible. 

Sustainable Green Solutions chief executive officer Mr Alan Yeap will be providing support for Singaporean youths to sign up online at www.youth4planet.com. Participants are required to write a 500-word application on why they believe they should represent Singapore, film a short video clip of less than 45 seconds, and provide a reference from a teacher or community leader who will endorse their application.

“It’s a unique opportunity for all of us to see the world through their eyes and to hear their voice, and ideas for a more sustainable future for Singapore and for the world, and we are very proud to be a part of this project,” said Mr Yeap.