1. The Story So Far...

Begin.

Even if you have no idea if it will work out.

This is what I have to keep reminding myself as I am faced with this huge mountain ahead of me.

I have always been a strong-willed and determined person who follows her passions. My very unusual combination of studies shows it - Computer Science, Computer Games Development and Psychology. With a BSc and an Honours in Psychology under my belt, after a long, hard year of COVID lockdown, I was suddenly faced with the dreaded "what next?". I was lucky enough to get a job straight out of university, but with 'working from home' becoming a much-too-literal reality, I still felt a bit lost and unsure if I had really managed to answer the "what next?" question.

Sustainability, living in an eco-friendly way, and helping my community has also run as a thread throughout my life, through various outreach programs and being involved in organizations such as Rotary's Interact, being lucky enough to help build two houses for Habitat for Humanity, and through smaller actions, like using reusable shopping bags, avoiding single-use plastic and findings ways to create a zero-waste lifestyle. Sustainability and fighting climate change has always been a passion of mine, but my efforts have always felt small and inconsequential.

When an email came through titled "Antarctica Expedition Opportunity", I was immediately drawn in. What followed was a ton of research into 2041 ClimateForce, Robert Swan, O.B.E, and what this expedition entailed - each new discovery filling me with wonder and awe. Here was this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to surround myself with passionate and inspiring like-minded people, where I could learn exactly how my efforts to live sustainably and eco-friendly could be increased, as well as how to inspire others to do so. Suddenly I found myself going through the application process, unexpectedly reaching the next stages, despite feeling incredibly small and insignificant in the incredibly inspiring group of leaders and alumni of past ClimateForce Expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctic.

When my selection letter came through late on the night following my interview, I couldn't believe it, I was shaking, jumping up and down (and crying). The whirlwind continued as I was thrown head-first into the world of 2041 ClimateForce and The Explorer's Passage, with informative Zoom meetings with alumni and expedition leaders, much more research to do, documentaries and videos to watch, articles to read, emails to send, and - most importantly and most terrifyingly - fundraising to start.

After much prepping and planning, this is where I am; writing my first blog of many, about to launch my fundraising campaign and just hoping that it doesn't crash and burn in an embarrassingly small heap. Despite the challenges I face looking forward, it's impossible not to be inspired and dream big being surrounded by everyone who is involved in the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition - past and present. In particular, I have had the privilege to speak with Robert Swan, O.B.E., who has the ability to crush feelings of doubt and encourage anyone he meets to be powerful and brave in their own missions. His journey awakened feelings of awe, excitement, and courage in me, and a sense that maybe, just maybe, this expedition will be the "what next?" that I am looking for. No matter what lies ahead, this is sure to be a life-changing experience.

Robert Swan, O.B.E. (Image credit: 2041 ClimateForce)

As we all a part of the war against climate change - whether we like it or not - I feel it apt to leave you with the words of war reporter Marie Colvin's mother (on her daughter's legacy):

"Be passionate and be involved in what you believe in, and do it as thoroughly and honestly and fearlessly as you can."

So I will try. This is me being passionate and involved, and doing it as thoroughly and honestly and fearlessly as I can. I hope that you can follow along with me and support me as I climb this mountain.

- Donna Reynolds