OUR MISSION I WHAT IS EXXPEDITION?
On 16th November 2014, a crew of 14 inspirational and groundbreaking women will set sail across the Atlantic Ocean on a mission to make the unseen seen, from the toxics in our bodies to the toxics in our seas. We will EXPLORE the plastics, chemicals, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens in our personal and global environments, in particular those that can be linked to rising rates of diseases such as breast cancer. We will ENGAGE women in scientific narratives relating to the consumer choices we make, and the long-term health impacts of these choices on ourselves and our environment.
OUR IMPACT I A GLOBAL VISION Policy & Advocacy We are ambassadors for the UNEP Safe Planet campaign, which supports the life-cycle approach to chemicals and waste management and is working towards finding the solutions to challenges posed by toxic chemicals and waste. We are raising awareness for the progress that has been made in the last 20 years of global environmental monitoring and regulation, and promoting innovation to remove toxics from our environment. Innovation We are exploring alternatives to toxics, inspiring entrepreneurs and industry to create innovations that are ‘benign by design’. Awareness We are acting as ambassadors for science, for early diagnostics and for a proactive approach to health monitoring. Inspiration We are inspiring young women to pursue careers in exploration, sport, science, technology, engineering, the arts and enterprise, whilst also understanding the links between ecosystem health and human health. Education We are developing engaging creative and digital education materials on ocean science, ecology, environmental science and toxics in reference to the UK national curriculum. This will be open source in collaboration with Education platforms ‘Digital Explorer’ and ‘Skype in the Classroom’.
Featured image: Feral Theatre Invisible Giant
OUR EXXPERIMENTS I TOXICS IN OUR OCEANS
1. Sampling the Atlantic for plastics and surface feeding fish using manta trawl nets. 2. Quantifying the samples for types and sizes of plastics according to research provided by Dr Anastasia Milieu, Archipelagos Institute. Collected microplastics will be sent for assessment for POPs, PCBs and other toxic contaminants, and the fish will be assessed for plastic fragments in their guts and presence of toxic residues. We are also taking part in wider research projects including: - Â Marine Litter Watch with European Environment Agency. - Â Secchi Disk Project with University of Plymouth (LINK). - Marine Microplastics Project with Adventure & Science for Conservation (ASC) and the Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI).
OUR EXXPERIMENTS I TOXICS IN OUR BODIES
Scientists estimate that everyone alive today carries at least 700 contaminants within our bodies, most of which have not been well studied. Wherever you live in the world, you have been exposed to a cocktail of chemicals. All women on board went to London on April 26th 2014 to have their blood serum sampled for contamination, know as body burden analysis, to assess our personal exposure to known toxic substances. This analysis is being conducted by Dr Anna Karman at Ă–rebro University, forming part of a database collected for the UN Safe Planet campaign.
OUR BOAT I THE SEA DRAGON
Sea Dragon is a 72ft (22m), 90,000lb displacement steel hulled sailing vessel built in the UK in 2000. She is one of 11 yachts built for the Global Challenge Race – one of the longest, most demanding ocean voyages ever made with an upwind, west-about 32,000km circumnavigation. Now run by Pangaea Explorations to carry out scientific research, Sea Dragon provides a superb platform of rugged capability, capacity and efficiency with a naturally low environmental footprint – perfect for this type of remote sailing expedition.
OUR CREW I 14 WOMEN Emily Penn - Skipper and Co-Founder Penn is an explorer, speaker, artist and oceans advoacte. She is the Director of global organisation Pangaea Explorations, and the first woman to be awarded the International Yachtsmaster of the Year. Dr Lucy Gilliam - eXXpedition Director and Co-Founder Environmental Scientist with PhD in Microbial Ecology & Soil Science, Gilliam has over 13 years experience working as a research scientist and government advisor. Founder & Director of New Dawn Traders. Laura Coleman - Artistic Director Coleman is a curator, writer and Founder/Director of the ONCA Trust and Gallery, an environmental arts charity and hub that raises awareness for environmental change through art, performance and storytelling. Caterina Fallini - Tecnology and Innovation Coordinator Designer and Technologist. Executive Director of Axelera, a non-profit whose aim is to inspire future Italian leaders, entrepreneurs and technologists by spreading knowledge about exponential technologies and the importance of addressing widespread global challenges. Jen Pate - Geographer and Filmaker Pate has an MSc in Environment, Science & Society. Co-founder and Executive Director of Your Frontier, a film and media production company focused on worldwide expeditions, social and environmental responsibility projects. Malin Jacob - Media Guru Norwegian environmentalist currently studying political science at the University of Oslo. Blogger at Gønne Jenter “Green Girls”. Awarded “Environmental Hero of the Year” at age 18, social media and green lifestyle activist. Constança Belchior - Scientist and Biologist Masters in Environmental Sciences from University of São Paulo. Working in Copenhagen on marine issues at the European Environment Agency (EEA), in particular as the leader for the citizen science project Marine LitterWatch.
Sierra Campbell - Entrepreneur and Wellness Advocate Cervical and ovarian cancer survivor, Campbell had a partial hysterectomy aged 21. Currently specialises in yoga for women’s cancer care and prevention. Anne Baker - Skipper and Environmentalist Environmental Scientist and professional skipper. Anne has spent her life sailing all around the world.
Sue Weaver - Psychologist Weaver uses eco-psychology to support awareness of the ways we relate to the non-human world around us. She spent 20 years in the NHS working with women facing cancer. Diana Papoulias - Ecotoxicologist Ecotoxicologist and fish specialist. Masters in Fish Ecology from Arizona State University, worked in Arizona Game & Fish Department & 25 years in US Department of Interior. Shanley McEntee - First Mate Sea Dragon First Mate. She has a BA in Environmental Policy and a minor in Environmental Science. PADI Rescue Diver certified and IYT Master of Yachts Offshore. Amisha Ghadiali - Eco-fashion Specialist Sustainable Fashion specialist, writer, social entrepreneur. Co-Founder of Provenance, a new web platform to help makers be more transparent and tell the true stories behind their products. Global Economic Symposium Fellow. Maria Arceo - Artist in Residence Arceo has been a practicing artist for over 20 years, and has exhibited around the world. Her work typically explores points of contact between human interaction with the natural world and vice versa.
WHO AM I? I MY BACKGROUND
LAURA COLEMAN - Artistic Director I am the Founder and Director of the ONCA Trust, an environmental arts charity in Brighton, UK. I graduated from the University of York with a Masters Degree in History of Art. I then worked for over six years on grassroots conservation projects, predominantly with Bolivian NGO Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi, with whom I rescued and rehabilitated animals, specifically pumas, from black market trade. On my return to the UK in 2012, I founded ONCA - One Network for Conservation and the Arts – and set up the only contemporary art gallery in the UK that focuses on ecological change. I now run programmes of exhibitions, events and workshops that, through storytelling, performance and visual arts, ask questions and intitate conversations about our changing environment, whilst supporting frontline conservation projects. I am eXXpedition’s Artistic Director, and I am curating a programme of artistic events and outreach that engage young women - through creative activity and discussion - in these topics that are central to the development of healthy, sustainable life on this planet.
THE ROLE OF ART I CAN CREATIVITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? “Artists are shape-shifters and in this there is a perennial, ferocious hope; the hope which transforms, which whispers of possibility, of vision, of change and radical healing.” Jay Griffiths, 2009 When faced with facts about biodiversity loss, climate change and plastic pollution, I often feel baffled and overwhelmed. It is all too easy to experience a sense of disconnection, as we are rarely provided the means to understand how we can make a difference. If I do feel emotionally engaged, I typically end up feeling paralysed instead. Drama, storytelling, art and music are incredibly powerful when addressing this sense of paralysis. If we ask creative questions, it become possible - and exciting - to engage in conversations where change is not only a frightening necessity but also a catalyst for creation. Art has the power to help us see things differently, and in this time of unprecedented flux, artists are finding new roles for themselves. As our recalibration of place becomes ever more urgent, ‘environmental’ art is stepping closer to the limelight, becoming an essential and critical medium for our understanding of the coming future.
Non Plus Ultra by Maria Arceo
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? I EXXPEDITION SPONSORSHIP
We are seeking funding to support the eXXpedition’s artistic education and outreach campaign. We are looking for sponsors who have or are developing products and services that are designed with full lifecycle in mind, that are ecological and sustainable. These include sponsors who can provide innovative tools for digital storytelling, telecommunications/satellite connectivity on board, kit sponsors (clothing, multi-tools, non-toxic/non-polluting personal care products), health services, health and travel insurance and flights to name a few. We also welcome sponsors who share our values of empowering women, using sound science to support precautionary principles while enabling innovation. In return for sponsorships (either financial or in-kind products and services), we can offer a range of promotional activities.
SPONSORSHIP I PACKAGES
Add some adventure to your brand by supporting this team of changemakers and explorers racing across the Atlantic! There are many opportunities to help this innovative and pioneering eXXpedition for citizen science, social and environmental responsbility.
CREW SPONSORSHIP £5,000 Personally support one of our crew members, covering all the expenses for the journey, kit, insurance, food and tools during the mission. SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS Video of thanks - documentary mention - logo, publicity, web - event invites - personal blog updates - permission to use selected photo & video shooting from the voyage.
CREATIVE EDUCATION SPONSORSHIP £10,000 Help us develop a creative education outreach programme. This will include a series of 30 talks, workshops and discussion groups with young women (aged 13-30) across the UK, educating about the health benefits of environmental consciousness. We will produce a publication based on our research, plus educational resources to be used in the classroom. SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS Video of thanks - documentary mention - logo, publicity, web - event invites - personal blog updates - permission to use selected photo & video shooting from the voyage - access to the analysed research data - a personalised workshop/talk with an audience of your choice.
INSPIRATIONAL SPONSORSHIP £20,000 Help with the development of a creative education programme (see above), and fund a month-long exhibition at the ONCA Gallery, with the possibility of other high-profile future venues. SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS Video of thanks - inclusion in documentary with full interview - logo, publicity, web - event invites/guest of honour - personal blog updates permission to use selected photo & video shooting from the voyage - access to the analysed research data - a personalised series of up to five workshops/talks with audiences of your choice - sponsorship credits at the exhibition and in all related material.
MEDIA PLAN I GLOBAL OUTREACH DOCUMENTARY Produced by Your Frontier, this will be a feature length film shown at film festivals including Breast Fest 2015, The Adventure Travel Film Festival (UK/Australia), New York WILD Film Festival, Under the Sea Film Festival (Australia), and many more. We are planning a premiere event for the documentary in London (UK) for International Women’s Day, 8th March 2015. RADIO/PRESS We aim to feature on BBC R4’s ‘Costing the Earth’ and the ever popular ‘Women’s Hour’. We will be featured in a three-part article in the Huffington Post, the first to be published in 2014, and we are also in coversation with other relevant publications such as Women’s Adventure Magazine, Wanderlust Magazine, Sidetracked Magazine, New Scientists, Times Educational Supplement to name a few. ENVIRONMENT MONITORING APP and ONBOARD TECHNOLOGY - Google Glass, Drones & GoPros. We will develop a real time augmented reality platform to engage our audiences in our journey and mission. The platform will be the meeting point of our output, pictures, posts and videos, with input from our audience with comments and posts. This digital platform will be developed by JoinPad, an Italian augmented reality company.
SPONSORSHIP I ADDITIONAL BENEFITS SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE eXXpedition already has a successful website and blog, plus Facebook and Twitter pages. Our followers are growing every day. Our website and social media accounts have been set up to ensure the latest information is available to the media, tracking our sailors across the Atlantic. It is also a great space for the team to share their thoughts, knowledge and relevant stories pre-, during and post-expedition. Blogging and social media activity will help to maximise the benefits to sponsors through mentions and posts. Part of the eXXpedition team will deliver a post-eXXpedition talk and present a video record/signed log of the voyage at an event of the sponsor’s choosing. EVENTS ENGAGEMENT We will organise beach clean-ups, exhibitions and workshops regarding plastics and toxics before and after the mission. These events will be mainly in the UK and the Canaries before and after we sail. After the journey there will be the possibility to organise (for each crew country) events and installations for art galleries, museums and other possible places. ACCESS TO PHOTO, VIDEO AND ANALYSED DATA Our main sponsors will have access to photos and video shot during, before and after our voyage. This material might be useful to create value for your brand for internal and external presentations and media. All our scientific data will be crossed with the 5Gyres database which is an ongoing oceans monitoring platform.
www.eXXpedition.com
MAKING THE UNSEEN SEEN
www.exxpedition.com www.onca.org.uk laura@onca.org.uk 01273 958291 The ONCA Gallery, 14 St George’s Place, Brighton, BN1 4GB