Bringing plastic waste to Antarctica.

Every day we read and hear more about the impact of climate change.

The consequences are becoming increasingly visible. Look at how the weather rollercoasters from flood to drought to storms to hurricanes more frequently than ever. News channels across the globe are filled with dramatic images of climate change. Melting Alpine glaciers. Oceans full of plastic which choke fish and birds. Tropical white beaches full of washed-up man’s debris. This has to change, now.

Antarctica is the only protected continent on our planet. Its pure snow really is pure and it must stay that way. It truly is the last real no man’s land on Earth. That makes it the perfect place to undertake a crazy mission to show the world how we can turn things around.

Pollute this delicate ecosystem and it is not only wildlife that will suffer. We will. Antarctica has 90% of the world’s ice, contaminate it and we really do change the future of humanity for the worse.

Antarctica is still completely waste-free because of an agreement called the Antarctic Treaty. But this agreement expires in 2048. That’s ages away you may think. But we all know how difficult it can be for the world to agree on climate change issues. Industrial powerhouse, we’re talking about you. So, if this treaty isn’t renewed and is opened up for commercial purposes, it’s goodbye white tundra and hello pollution, toxic waste and millions of tonnes of rubbish. And this beautiful landscape full of snow, ice and exceptional animals like penguins will be lost forever. Only to be seen again on the BBC or National Geographic.

Edwin ter Velde, Captain and Founder at Clean2Antarctica: “What Hiber and us have both in common is that we are doing very cool things with small steps. It shows where you can get if you don’t let all the experts stop you and simply go for it.”

The Solar Voyager, a solar powered vehicle.

The Solar Voyager, a solar powered vehicle, will attempt to be the first renewable energy vehicle to reach the South Pole. It’s going to be tough. It’s not without risks. But to get the world’s attention focussed on the dangers of plastic waste it has to be done.

The expedition is led by two exceptional people, Edwin and Liesbeth ter Velde. What makes this so special is that Solar Voyager is a car made of waste plastic and powered only by solar energy. To defy the snow, rubber tires are wrapped with net to remain in shape. As you’d expect, the crew keep warm wearing thick clothing. Infrared glass converts sunlight into heat inside the car. It also means the windows will not freeze ensuring maximum visibility.

From the base camp in Antarctica to the South Pole and back is 2400 kilometers. That’s like Amsterdam to Moscow and all through a never-ending ice desert. No surprise that no one has tried this before with a solar powered vehicle.

It is a huge challenge to drive across Antarctica. You must constantly battle relentless snow and blizzards. Stay warm in a vehicle made of waste plastic. Find a way to eat and drink. There’s no Starbucks on the way. More importantly, you’re all alone, in the middle of the most isolated place on Earth. If you need to get in touch, your iPhone won’t cut it.

That’s where Hiber’s nano satellites come in.