A local young woman has joined an expedition to Antarctica, after taking part in environmental projects within her local community.
Allison, Ciszynska, from Carmarthenshire, has joined the group which set off on Friday, November 11.
The young adults have been nominated by teachers, social workers, police officers, parents, guardians and friends from across the UK.
Those chosen were nominated after working on ‘pay it forward’ environmental projects to ensure that they not only benefit from taking part in the expedition.
Allison has used her summer to join a local litter picking group in Llanelli where she has collected rubbish in key sites around the town.
She is the youngest on the expedition, but says she has been inspired by the others and modified her own behaviour since taking part, and made her friends consider their actions too.
They will travel to Antarctica with Hurtigruten Expeditions on their hybrid ship MS Fridtjof Nansen – named the world’s most sustainable expedition vessel.
Once onboard, they will be taking part in real-time climate science, collecting samples and undertaking wildlife surveys as well as trying snowshoeing, kayaking, camping on ice and swimming in the Southern Ocean.
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The entire expedition is carbon neutral; the young adults planted over 100 native trees to offset carbon produced through flying to the start at Scouts HQ, Gilwell Park.
All the kit they will wear, made especially by Craghoppers, is made from recycled plastic bottles and dyed using sustainable chemical-free practices.
The idea is that they will become ambassadors in their communities – some of the most deprived areas in Britain – for responsible adventuring and prove that anyone can be an explorer and make a difference.
Anthony Daniels, General Manager UK and EMEA at Hurtigruten Expeditions, said: “It’s incredible to see the dedication of every entrant towards sustainability. You can truly see Allison’s passion to positively impact their local environment.
“We can’t wait for Allison and the other young explorers to join us onboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen, and with the help of our onboard Scientists and Expedition Team, realise how the actions in their local community will help to protect the world for the next generation.”
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