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Lessons from the South Pole

  • Winners of the CDL E-Generation Challenge 2017, organised in partnership with Global Green Economic Forum (GGEF), won the opportunity to go on a two-week expedition to Antarctica in March 2018. The 2017 winners were Ms Jessica Cheam, founder of digital media company Eco-Business and Ms Inch Chua, a local singer-songwriter. They went on a two-week expedition to Antarctica in March 2018, as part of the Climate Force: Antarctica 2018 voyage led by O.B.E Robert Swan, a renowned environmentalist and veteran explorer. Upon their return, they continued their advocacy through various platforms to raise awareness on climate change.
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Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Mr Masagos Zulkifli (pictured in blue shirt), graced the official opening of Ms Jessica Cheam’s (first on right) ‘Changing Course’ photo exhibition.

City News19 May 2018

Singapore, 19 May 2018 – Ms Chua was the first to unpack her thoughts and experiences on the uninhabited continent with a showcase of original songs titled ‘No Man’s Land’ performed on 19 May 2018. The showcase is part of a three-part performance which will continue into 2019.

Ms Cheam launched a photo exhibition titled ‘Changing Course’ at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on 4 June 2018. Featuring a collection of 70 photos and a short documentary, the exhibition was on display to the public from 1 June to 12 July 2018, at the Green Pavilion in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Using images and film to highlight climate change issues through her exhibition ‘Changing Course’, Ms Jessica Cheam (front row in monochrome dress) shared key environmental messages with exhibition visitors.

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A creative expression of her trip, Ms Inch Chua’s showcase ‘No Man’s Land’ was performed to an audience at TheatreWorks Singapore.

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Ms Inch Chua channelled her collective experiences and discoveries from Antarctica to inspire dialogue and discussion about climate issues.

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Held annually, the CDL E-Generation Challenge is a youth-centric competition targeted to encourage and empower youths to come up with urgent solutions against climate change. Established in 2010, the challenge format has evolved with the fast-changing environment. In 2017, it was revamped with a view to unearth passionate youth environmental advocates to raise awareness of environmental issues and drive change by reaching out to a larger community.

The next challenge, CDL E-Generation Challenge 2018, was launched on 4 June 2018. This ninth edition will send two winners on a research expedition headed by Dr Sylvia Earle, renowned oceanographer and explorer, to Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The expedition looks to investigate the impact of climate change in the Coral Triangle, including recording presence of microplastics and marine biodiversity. Selected winners will embark on the expedition in October 2018.