Pangaea: young explorers involved in the environmental movementTue, 01/02/2011 - 18:11 — Petzl News
Since autumn 2008, we have shared with you the unique experiences of groups of young explorers on their expeditions with Mike Horn. To date, seven expeditions have been undertaken to the four corners of the globe (Antarctica, New Zealand Malaysia, India, Himalaya, China and Russia) and five more are planned by July 2012.
The objective of these expeditions is to teach young explorers about their natural environment and encourage them to find solutions that will, tomorrow, improve life on Earth.
Once the expedition is finished, the young explorers become ambassadors and are on a mission to communicate to as many as possible the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their expedition. For the young explorers, the best way to convey this message is to put in place an AGIR program, or satellite project, in their community. These projects have a common goal: to protect and preserve nature.
Presentation of satellite projects 2011:
- Pangaea Borneo Project
What is Borneo?
With an area of 743,330 square kilometres, Borneo is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and New Guinea. This island has a unique biodiversity and embodies a genuine environmental jewel.
A remarkable but threatened biodiversity.
- Flora: there exists more than 15,000 species of flowers, 3000 species of trees, 221 species of terrestrial mammals and 420 species of native birds. Excessive deforestation occurring in this region may lead to the disappearance of these species.
- Fauna: the waters of Borneo represent a treasure trove of coral. Indeed, this region of 5.7 million square kilometres is filled with marine areas containing more than 500 species of coral and is called The Coral Triangle. Unfortunately, these marine ecosystems are in danger from overfishing and destructive fishing techniques.
- Poor management and inadequate knowledge of this area by everyone in the country represents a real threat to these environmental riches.
The vision of the Pangaea project, seen in the long term, is to inform and teach the local population how to reduce man's impact on the ecosystems of the region and to preserve this fragile area.
Mike Horn, accompanied by eight young people, is currently in Borneo to launch this exciting new project: the creation of a Pangaea Exploration Centre.
A second team will take over from 1 to 10 February. This will be the opportunity for the expeditions to push further and to think of other projects in the region.
- Explore the region to establish the ideal place for a future operations centre.
- Clean the island and its beaches.
- Examine and observe the corals.
- Build artificial reefs to protect and promote the development of the coral.
- Present the project to local schools and communities.
- Invite local young people aboard the Pangaea.
To be continued…
- Projet AGIR Pentakatha School_Geberit Pangaea
From 22 January to 12 February
In Pentakatha, India
Six Pangaea ambassadors:
ESCUDERO Maria Florencia (Argentina, 04/06/1992 - Pangaea India Selection Camp)
RUSTOGI Parhidi (India, 10/06/1995 - Pangaea India Expedition)
NEELAKANTAN Shruti (India, 22/03/1991 - Pangaea Pakistan Selection Camp)
PIETERSEN Inge (South Africa, 30/11/1990 - Pangaea Mongolia Expedition)
CHMIELOWSKI Pawel (Poland, 10/03/1991 - Pangaea India Selection Camp)
BAZ Jose (Lebanon, 25/05/1989 - Pangaea Malaysia Selection Camp)
With support from Geberit (company specializing in health facilities), a Pentchakatha school was built in February 2010 from new sanitary blocks close to the establishment. Nevertheless, further improvements are possible and needed. This is why Mike Horn and a group of young explorers will travel to the site within a few days.
This project is based around three main themes.
- Education and interaction with the local children.
- Financial and physical aid for the renovation of the school (painting, work, etc.).
- Provide school supplies.
Meet our young explorers
Come meet the young explorers on Saturday, 29 January 2011, in Basel, Switzerland. This will be the opportunity for them to share their experiences and discoveries. Environment, expedition and fun are the keywords for this day.
The program :
- Presentation of the Pangaea voyage by the young explorers: photos, videos and interesting stories.
- Discovery and learning workshops (using a map and compass, an exhibition on climate change, etc.)
- For more information about this day: Meeting in Basil
- Learn more about all the Pangaea team's activities on Pangaea website