Robert Swan
Encyclopedia
Robert Charles Swan, OBE, FRGS is the first person to walk to both Poles.
He was born on 28 July 1956 in Durham, England and attended Aysgarth School
and then Sedbergh School
(1969–1974) before completing a BA
degree in Ancient History
(1976–1979) at St Chad's College
, Durham University
. He is currently an advocate for the protection of Antarctica and renewable energy
. Swan is also the president
of 2041, a company which is dedicated to the preservation of the Antarctic
and the author with Gil Reavill
of Antarctica 2041: My Quest to Save the Earth's Last Wilderness.
where, at the age of eleven, he became inspired by the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
" (1895–1917) and the race to the South Pole
between Robert Falcon Scott
and Roald Amundsen
. It was Scott's tragic final journey to the South Pole
that inspired Swan's commitment to follow in his footsteps to the Pole.
In 1979, Swan began to raise the necessary funds to reach the Pole. It took him five years of planning and fund raising to reach the $5 million he needed for the expedition. He procured a ship, the Southern Quest, and convinced 25 people to give up three years of their lives to implement the project.
During that time, Swan lived in a warehouse in London
whilst signing up some 2,000 sponsors and assembled a team that included Roger Mear and Gareth Wood as fellow travelers to the South Pole.
to meet Bill Burton, who at 96 years old was the last surviving member of Scott's expedition in 1912. Swan's initial Antarctic
expedition was thus officially dubbed "In the Footsteps of Scott". Upon arrival on the frozen continent, Swan and his team spent the Antarctic
winter at the 'Jack Hayward
' base with colleagues John Tolson and Dr. Michael Stroud. When the winter had passed, Swan, Mear, and Wood set out to walk 900 miles (1,448.4 km) to the South Pole
. They arrived at the South Pole
on 11 January 1986, after 70 days without the aid of any radio communications or back-up support and having hauled 350 lb (158.8 kg) sledges. Swan's team had achieved the longest unassisted march ever made in history. Once at the pole, they received the bad news that their ship, Southern Quest, had been crushed by pack ice and had sunk, just minutes before they arrived. There was much criticism of the adventure from the scientists working in Antarctica as time and money had to be spent in flying some of the party back out to New Zealand
. However, Swan returned in 1987 with a ship to collect the rest of the team at 'Jack Hayward
' base and to remove all traces of his expedition, i.e., rubbish and remaining stores.
, Swan assembled a team of eight people from seven nations for an attempt at the North Pole
. The team consisted of Dr. Misha Malakhov from Russia
, Rupert Summerson of the UK, Graeme Joy of Australia
, Arved Fuchs
of Germany
, Hiroshi Onishi from Japan
, Angus Cockney of the Inuit
, and Daryl E. Roberts of the USA. The expedition was called "Icewalk". Icewalk's base camp held 22 representatives from 15 different nations. They produced a series of educational films there and facilitated the removal of rubbish from the surrounding Arctic
wilderness. Swan and his team reached the North Pole
on 14 May 1989. The team nearly drowned during their expedition to the North Pole
, due to the unseasonable melting of Arctic
ice. Their journey made Swan the first man to walk to both the North and South poles.
to be a keynote speaker to the first Earth Summit
for Sustainable Development
, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In response to the world leaders' challenge to "think global act local", Swan made a commitment to deliver a global and local environmental mission involving industry, business, and young people to the next World Summit in 2002.
In 1996–97 he organized One Step Beyond, The South Pole
Challenge, which brought 35 young adventurers from 25 nations together in Antarctica. They came together to define the global mission that Swan had been tasked with at the Earth Summit
. The mission was to remove and recycle 1,500 tons of waste that had been left at Bellinghausen station in Antarctica after decades of scientific research. The team worked for eight years to raise the money, plan, and execute the mission. The rubbish at the Russia
n base of Bellinghausen, King George Island
, was finally cleared and the native penguins reclaimed their beach for the first time in 47 years. After the cleanup, Swan noticed a small, disused scientists' station on the horizon at King George Island
. It sparked an idea that generated the concept of the "E-base" – the world's first education station in Antarctica.
Having fulfilled the challenge for a global mission by cleaning up Bellinghausen station, Swan turned his efforts to a local mission. In 2002, Swan and his '2041' sailboat embarked on the longest overland 'voyage' in history. The voyage's destination was the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development
in Johannesburg, South Africa. Swan partnered with 'loveLife' – a charity battling AIDS
in South Africa
.
The 'voyage' reached out to over 750,000 young people across South Africa
. During the World Summit, the 'Ice Station' exhibit was visited by 128 world leaders and 35,000 visitors, including 12,000 young people. It was awarded first prize for outstanding contribution to the World Summit.
Swan was once again charged by the world leaders to continue his mission and report back at the next World Summit for Sustainable Development
, ten years later, in 2012.
of Africa
". The voyage promoted AIDS
awareness, water saving, and recycling
whilst visiting over 30 ports.
Along the route, communities came out in force to participate in clean-up projects with the aim of improving their immediate environment
. Three young men from 'loveLife' were chosen by Swan to become the first African crew in history to circumnavigate their own continent.
) bottles. '2041' was crewed by industry leaders and teachers selected for their outstanding inspiration for young people. The sailboat finished 24th in the race.
upon their return home.
Between the 2003 – 2007 expeditions, Swan's dream of building the E-base became a reality. Each successive year's expedition members helped plan, build, and promote the E-base—the world's first education station in Antarctica to be used as a resource for teachers and young people from around the world.
, Swan and a small team lived and sent broadcasts from the E-base via the internet
for two weeks. It was the first time in history that a team had attempted to survive in Antarctica relying solely on renewable energy
. Their mission was successful, and the team departed the continent after the allotted two weeks in good health.
. '2041' was refitted to operate entirely on wind, solar, and biodiesel
generated energy. '2041' and Swan engaged in a multi-city tour of the West Coast of the USA to highlight renewable energy
and engage the youth of the world to take positive steps toward renewable, sustainable energy
practices. April 8, 2008 was officially deemed "Robert Swan Day" in San Francisco at the bequest of Mayor Gavin Newsom.
He was born on 28 July 1956 in Durham, England and attended Aysgarth School
Aysgarth School
Aysgarth School is one of the leading boys' prep boarding schools in the UK. Aysgarth School is set in the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales near Bedale, North Yorkshire and is the only all-boys boarding and day prep school in the north of England. This independent school was founded in 1877 to...
and then Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a boarding school in Sedbergh, Cumbria, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Nestled in the Howgill Fells, it is known for sporting sides, such as its Rugby Union 1st XV.-Background:...
(1969–1974) before completing a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Ancient History
Ancient history
Ancient history is the study of the written past from the beginning of recorded human history to the Early Middle Ages. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, with Cuneiform script, the oldest discovered form of coherent writing, from the protoliterate period around the 30th century BC...
(1976–1979) at St Chad's College
St Chad's College
St Chad's College is a college of the University of Durham in England. One of the smallest of Durham's colleges in terms of student numbers , it has the largest staff, the most extensive college library facilities, and consistently the highest academic results in Durham...
, Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
. He is currently an advocate for the protection of Antarctica and renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
. Swan is also the president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of 2041, a company which is dedicated to the preservation of the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
and the author with Gil Reavill
Gil Reavill
Gil Reavill is an American author, journalist and screenwriter whose work has appeared in a variety of media.-Early and personal life:Reavill was born in Wisconsin and educated at University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Colorado...
of Antarctica 2041: My Quest to Save the Earth's Last Wilderness.
Early years (1956 -1984)
Swan's interest in polar exploration began at school in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where, at the age of eleven, he became inspired by the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration defines an era which extended from the end of the 19th century to the early 1920s. During this 25-year period the Antarctic continent became the focus of an international effort which resulted in intensive scientific and geographical exploration, sixteen...
" (1895–1917) and the race to the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
between Robert Falcon Scott
Robert Falcon Scott
Captain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO was a Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the Discovery Expedition, 1901–04, and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition, 1910–13...
and Roald Amundsen
Roald Amundsen
Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He led the first Antarctic expedition to reach the South Pole between 1910 and 1912 and he was the first person to reach both the North and South Poles. He is also known as the first to traverse the Northwest Passage....
. It was Scott's tragic final journey to the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
that inspired Swan's commitment to follow in his footsteps to the Pole.
In 1979, Swan began to raise the necessary funds to reach the Pole. It took him five years of planning and fund raising to reach the $5 million he needed for the expedition. He procured a ship, the Southern Quest, and convinced 25 people to give up three years of their lives to implement the project.
During that time, Swan lived in a warehouse in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
whilst signing up some 2,000 sponsors and assembled a team that included Roger Mear and Gareth Wood as fellow travelers to the South Pole.
"In the Footsteps of Scott" (1984–1987)
Southern Quest set sail on November 3, 1984 to travel the 14842 nautical miles (27,487.4 km) to Antarctica. The expedition stopped over in Lyttelton, New ZealandLyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
to meet Bill Burton, who at 96 years old was the last surviving member of Scott's expedition in 1912. Swan's initial Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
expedition was thus officially dubbed "In the Footsteps of Scott". Upon arrival on the frozen continent, Swan and his team spent the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
winter at the 'Jack Hayward
Jack Hayward
Sir Jack Arnold Hayward, OBE is an English businessman, property developer, philanthropist and president of Premier League football club Wolverhampton Wanderers.-Biography:...
' base with colleagues John Tolson and Dr. Michael Stroud. When the winter had passed, Swan, Mear, and Wood set out to walk 900 miles (1,448.4 km) to the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
. They arrived at the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
on 11 January 1986, after 70 days without the aid of any radio communications or back-up support and having hauled 350 lb (158.8 kg) sledges. Swan's team had achieved the longest unassisted march ever made in history. Once at the pole, they received the bad news that their ship, Southern Quest, had been crushed by pack ice and had sunk, just minutes before they arrived. There was much criticism of the adventure from the scientists working in Antarctica as time and money had to be spent in flying some of the party back out to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. However, Swan returned in 1987 with a ship to collect the rest of the team at 'Jack Hayward
Jack Hayward
Sir Jack Arnold Hayward, OBE is an English businessman, property developer, philanthropist and president of Premier League football club Wolverhampton Wanderers.-Biography:...
' base and to remove all traces of his expedition, i.e., rubbish and remaining stores.
The North Pole (1987–1989)
Three years after reaching the South PoleSouth Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
, Swan assembled a team of eight people from seven nations for an attempt at the North Pole
North Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
. The team consisted of Dr. Misha Malakhov from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Rupert Summerson of the UK, Graeme Joy of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Arved Fuchs
Arved Fuchs
Arved Fuchs is a German explorer. On December 30, 1989, he and the famous mountain climber Reinhold Messner were the first to reach the South Pole without animal or motorised help, on skis and with wind-assistance...
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Hiroshi Onishi from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Angus Cockney of the Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
, and Daryl E. Roberts of the USA. The expedition was called "Icewalk". Icewalk's base camp held 22 representatives from 15 different nations. They produced a series of educational films there and facilitated the removal of rubbish from the surrounding Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
wilderness. Swan and his team reached the North Pole
North Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
on 14 May 1989. The team nearly drowned during their expedition to the North Pole
North Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
, due to the unseasonable melting of Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
ice. Their journey made Swan the first man to walk to both the North and South poles.
From Earth Summit to World Summit (1992–2002)
In 1992, Swan was invited by the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
to be a keynote speaker to the first Earth Summit
Earth Summit
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth Summit was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 June to 14 June 1992.-Overview:...
for Sustainable Development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In response to the world leaders' challenge to "think global act local", Swan made a commitment to deliver a global and local environmental mission involving industry, business, and young people to the next World Summit in 2002.
In 1996–97 he organized One Step Beyond, The South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
Challenge, which brought 35 young adventurers from 25 nations together in Antarctica. They came together to define the global mission that Swan had been tasked with at the Earth Summit
Earth Summit
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth Summit was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 June to 14 June 1992.-Overview:...
. The mission was to remove and recycle 1,500 tons of waste that had been left at Bellinghausen station in Antarctica after decades of scientific research. The team worked for eight years to raise the money, plan, and execute the mission. The rubbish at the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n base of Bellinghausen, King George Island
King George Island
King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands, situated at , off the coast of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean. The Island was named after King George III...
, was finally cleared and the native penguins reclaimed their beach for the first time in 47 years. After the cleanup, Swan noticed a small, disused scientists' station on the horizon at King George Island
King George Island
King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands, situated at , off the coast of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean. The Island was named after King George III...
. It sparked an idea that generated the concept of the "E-base" – the world's first education station in Antarctica.
Having fulfilled the challenge for a global mission by cleaning up Bellinghausen station, Swan turned his efforts to a local mission. In 2002, Swan and his '2041' sailboat embarked on the longest overland 'voyage' in history. The voyage's destination was the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
in Johannesburg, South Africa. Swan partnered with 'loveLife' – a charity battling AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The 'voyage' reached out to over 750,000 young people across South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. During the World Summit, the 'Ice Station' exhibit was visited by 128 world leaders and 35,000 visitors, including 12,000 young people. It was awarded first prize for outstanding contribution to the World Summit.
Swan was once again charged by the world leaders to continue his mission and report back at the next World Summit for Sustainable Development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
, ten years later, in 2012.
'2041' and Inspire Antarctic Expeditions (2003–2008)
Swan's 67' foot racing yacht '2041' is named after the year in which the 'Madrid Protocol' comes up for debate. The protocol, signed by nearly every nation, provides additional protection for the Antarctic Treaty and designates the continent as "a Natural Reserve Land for Science and Peace". It also places a ban on mining and mineral exploration in Antarctica for 50 years (1991–2041).The Cape to Rio Yacht Race, January – April 2003
As the first step to the 2012 World Summit, Swan brought a team of young African leaders on '2041' for the "Cape to Rio Yacht Race".The Circumnavigation of Africa, May 2003 – May 2004
Returning from the Rio, the yacht embarked on "The CircumnavigationCircumnavigation
Circumnavigation – literally, "navigation of a circumference" – refers to travelling all the way around an island, a continent, or the entire planet Earth.- Global circumnavigation :...
of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
". The voyage promoted AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
awareness, water saving, and recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
whilst visiting over 30 ports.
Along the route, communities came out in force to participate in clean-up projects with the aim of improving their immediate environment
Environment (biophysical)
The biophysical environment is the combined modeling of the physical environment and the biological life forms within the environment, and includes all variables, parameters as well as conditions and modes inside the Earth's biosphere. The biophysical environment can be divided into two categories:...
. Three young men from 'loveLife' were chosen by Swan to become the first African crew in history to circumnavigate their own continent.
The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, December 2004 – January 2005
Continuing on her journey towards the 2012 World Summit, Swan entered sailboat '2041' in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with the world's first sails made entirely from recycled plastic (PETPolyethylene terephthalate
Polyethylene terephthalate , commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination...
) bottles. '2041' was crewed by industry leaders and teachers selected for their outstanding inspiration for young people. The sailboat finished 24th in the race.
Inspire Antarctic Expeditions, 2003 – present
After 23 years of sustainable leadership and teamwork experience, Swan led the first corporate expedition to Antarctica in 2003. The expedition members witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change in Antarctica. They were tasked by Swan to become leaders in sustainabilitySustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
upon their return home.
Between the 2003 – 2007 expeditions, Swan's dream of building the E-base became a reality. Each successive year's expedition members helped plan, build, and promote the E-base—the world's first education station in Antarctica to be used as a resource for teachers and young people from around the world.
"The E-base Goes Live", March 2008
Powered entirely on renewable energyRenewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
, Swan and a small team lived and sent broadcasts from the E-base via the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
for two weeks. It was the first time in history that a team had attempted to survive in Antarctica relying solely on renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
. Their mission was successful, and the team departed the continent after the allotted two weeks in good health.
The Voyage for Cleaner Energy, April 2008 – present
On April 8, 2008, the Voyage for Cleaner Energy and '2041' sailboat launched from San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. '2041' was refitted to operate entirely on wind, solar, and biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
generated energy. '2041' and Swan engaged in a multi-city tour of the West Coast of the USA to highlight renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
and engage the youth of the world to take positive steps toward renewable, sustainable energy
Sustainable energy
Sustainable energy is the provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable energy sources include all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal...
practices. April 8, 2008 was officially deemed "Robert Swan Day" in San Francisco at the bequest of Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Awards, Honors & Publications
- 1987 In the Footsteps of Scott published by Jonathon Cape, authored by Swan and Robert Mear
- 1988 Swan was awarded the Polar MedalPolar MedalThe Polar Medal is a medal awarded by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. It was instituted in 1857 as the Arctic Medal and renamed the Polar Medal in 1904.-History:...
by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - 1988 Destination: Antarctica published by Scholastic, Inc.
- 1989 Official Flag Bearer for the Explorers Club of New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to the North PoleNorth PoleThe North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
(USA) - 1989 Appointed United Nations Environment Program Goodwill AmbassadorGoodwill AmbassadorGoodwill Ambassador is a collective term sometimes used as a substitute honorific title or a title of honor for an Ambassador of Goodwill; but, most appropriately for a generic recognition, it is a job position or description that is usually indicated following the name of the individual recognized...
(UNEP) - 1990 Winner of the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Global 500 award - 1990 Icewalk published by Icewalk Features
- 1992 Appointed United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Education/Science and Cultural Organization Goodwill AmbassadorGoodwill AmbassadorGoodwill Ambassador is a collective term sometimes used as a substitute honorific title or a title of honor for an Ambassador of Goodwill; but, most appropriately for a generic recognition, it is a job position or description that is usually indicated following the name of the individual recognized...
with Special Responsibility for Youth (UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
) - 1992 Visiting Professor of the School of Environment, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityLeeds Metropolitan UniversityLeeds Metropolitan University is a British University with three campuses. Two are situated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England while the third is situated in Bhopal, India...
(UK) - 1993 Founded the Robert Swan Foundation – a registered charity for the promotion of youth and scientific endeavors in the environment
- 1993 Doctorate of Letters, The Robert Gordon UniversityRobert Gordon UniversityRobert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
(UK) - 1994 Appointed Special Envoy to the Director General of UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
- 1995 Awarded OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
- 1998 Smithsonian AwardSmithsonian AwardThe Computerworld Smithsonian Award is given out annually to individuals who have used technology to produce beneficial changes for society. Nominees are proposed by a group of 100 CEOs of information technology companies...
for the Information technology in Education & Academia (USA) - 2000 Honorary Member of the Amstel Club, the Netherlands
- 2000 2041: The Voyage South published by Hayloft Publishing
- 2002 Vice President of the Countryside Management Association (UK)
- 2005 Awarded 'Freedom of the City of London'
- 2005 Elected, by membership vote, Honorary President of the 'Ski Club of Great BritainSki Club of Great BritainThe Ski Club of Great Britain is a recreational snow sports club, founded on May 6, 1903. It is a not-for-profit organisation. The Ski Club was until the 1960s responsible for the British racing teams.-Respect the Mountain campaign:...
' - 2006 Honorary Fellow at St. Chad's College, Durham UniversityDurham UniversityThe University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
(UK) - April 5, 2008 torchbearer of the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay2008 Summer Olympics torch relayThe 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from March 24 until August 8, 2008, prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics, with the theme of "one world, one dream". Plans for the relay were announced on April 26, 2007, in Beijing, China...
in St Petersburg, RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...