Mumbai teen crowdsources expedition Kunal Sanklecha needs to raise nine lakhs to join a sustainable trek to Antartica
It's not every day that dreams come true, and when they do, the Universe does seem to conspire. That's pretty much the story of third year Chemical Engineering student, Kunal Sanklecha who is gearing up to be part of a 10-day Antarctica expedition on sustainability learning, along with Robert Swan, who was the first person to walk both poles.
Agent of change
"I got to know about this expedition in 2014 through a newspaper article in which a student was selected for the expedition as Tetrapak Youth Ambassador. A year later, I applied too and was selected as Tetrapak Youth Ambassador for 2015, but due to some reasons the competition was no longer functional. Without losing hope, this year, I applied through 2041 organizations and was selected. I look forward to raising funds. The expedition will take place in March 2017 starting from Buenos Aires, Argentina and close to 150 handpicked people from across the globe are expected to participate," shares Kunal.
Kunal, a budding entrepreneur, is working on issues of e-waste, recycling, and waste management. He says, "I want to join the expedition to discuss ideas and possible solutions to global warming and take some fruitful action back in our own country, when I return. It is also an excellent opportunity for me to meet like-minded people with common goals."
He believes it is impossible for one person or a group to bring global change unless we spread the knowledge. "It is important to build leaders from common people who can talk about environment conservation. This expedition will be an experience to be an agent of change. The project will impact to create a sustainable mind-set in schools, colleges. Economically it will integrate sustainability in businesses particularly waste management," he says.
Kunal is now looking for sponsors who can help him raise funds to help him join the expedition team. "I have to raise over nine lakhs to join the expedition. It is a good opportunity since this is the last year that Robert Swan will be taking the expedition, and it is a lifetime opportunity to join the team and learn new things from him," said Kunal. The deadline of the fund is November 5. He says, "So far, I have received over Rs 20,000 from a crowd-funding platform online, but will need more funds." Sanklecha, who has been passionate about environment conservation since his school days is now involved with four NGOs in the city to make a social impact and spread the word through this trip for active involvement.
About the expedition
'Leadership on the Edge' will help to gain first-hand knowledge on current issues related to climate change, renewable energy, sustainability and how it affects the present and future worldwide. The 10-day 'Sustainable Learning and Leadership Program' aims at discussing the latest sustainable technologies, ideas and possible solutions to global warming. 14 more citizens from India will be joining this expedition along Sanklecha.
What is 2041?
2041 was founded by polar explorer, renowned environmental leader Robert Swan, OBE, for the preservation of Antarctica by the promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability to combat the effects of climate change. There is a treaty in place that bans drilling or mining in Antarctica which was established in 1991.This treaty will be reviewed after 50 years in 2041. Robert's goal is to ensure that the young people should make informed and sustainable decisions for the future.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Kunal-Sanklecha")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}