HER Planet Earth Embarks on Arctic Scientific Expedition with the Legendary Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle
Two polar bears navigate a shrinking home—an urgent reminder of what’s at stake in the Arctic.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Singapore, 13/04/2025 – HER Planet Earth, the global non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and supporting environmental conservation, proudly announces its upcoming Arctic expedition aboard the state-of-the-art research vessel Sylvia Earle in June 2025. This extraordinary journey will be led by the iconic oceanographer and environmental advocate, Dr. Sylvia Earle. The expedition aims to highlight the impact of climate change on the Arctic and the urgent need for global action to secure the future of our planet.
The Arctic expedition is a joint initiative with Ocean Geographic’s BIG ACE program, spearheaded by award-winning photographer and conservationist Michael Aw. This monumental journey honours Dr. Earle’s 90th birthday and represents a vital step in global climate action. Participants will join a diverse team of changemakers on a mission to safeguard the Arctic wilderness and underscore its critical role in global climate stability.
Setting sail from Longyearbyen, Norway (78°N) the expedition will navigate northward beyond 80 degrees latitude to explore the remaining Arctic ice shelf. While in Longyearbyen, participants will also visit the renowned Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often likened to a futuristic fortress. This vital facility houses 1.3 million seed samples from 123 depositors worldwide, ensuring the preservation of global food security in the face of natural disasters or other crises. Seeds are stored at -18°C, with the surrounding permafrost offering additional protection.
Weather permitting, the journey will continue eastward toward Kritoya and Austfonna, one of the world’s largest glaciers. Along the route, participants will encounter iconic Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walruses, ivory gulls, and Arctic foxes amidst breathtaking calving glaciers and sea ice platforms. The Arctic, warming four to five times faster than the global average, stands as a stark reminder of the urgency to address climate change.
Austfonna Glacier - Covering an area of 7,800 km², it is Europe's third-largest glacier by area and volume, after the Severny Island ice cap of Novaya Zemlya, Russia, and Vatnajökull in Iceland.
Amplifying Local Voices
As part of the expedition, the HER Planet Earth all-female team will engage in meaningful discussions with local women leaders in Longyearbyen to explore how climate change has affected their lives and communities. These sessions aim to create a platform for sharing personal experiences, exchanging adaptive strategies, and fostering collaboration. By highlighting the critical role of women in building resilience and protecting the Arctic’s future, these dialogues seek to inspire collective action and amplify the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis.
HER Planet Earth Founder, Christine Amour-Levar pictured with Dr Sylvia Earle in Antarctica in 2023
What This Expedition Represents
“This expedition is more than just a journey,” says Christine Amour-Levar, founder of HER Planet Earth. “It is a rallying call for unity, action, and collaboration. Together with Dr. Earle, we aim to protect the Arctic and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Christine Amour-Levar is a Singapore-based adventurer, explorer, and social entrepreneur who has led numerous all-female expeditions to some of the world’s most remote and challenging regions, including Antarctica, the Himalayas, Asia, and Africa. She is the co-founder of Women on a Mission, a non-profit organisation that merges bold adventure with purposeful advocacy to support women survivors of war and violence around the globe. Christine is also the co-founder of Investors for Climate, a global platform that mobilises capital, community, and collaboration to accelerate climate solutions by connecting family offices, institutional investors, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Through her work, she continues to champion both environmental stewardship and gender equality—turning bold ideas into powerful action.
Joining Amour-Levar on this transformative adventure will be her daughter, Angeline Levar, a talented 16-year-old aspiring environmental filmmaker and student at the United World College of Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore. As one of BIG ACE’s Next Gen Ambassador, Angeline plans to document the expedition through the lens of her camera, capturing the stark beauty of the Arctic and the urgent challenges it faces. Her aim is to produce a compelling short film that raises awareness about climate change and polar bear conservation. The film will be shared across multiple platforms to inspire students and communities to engage in meaningful climate action, and to empower young people to become advocates for the planet.
Angeline Levar, an aspiring environmental filmmaker and student at the United World College of Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore will be joining the expedition as a Next Gen Ambassador.
Exclusive Expedition Highlights
This immersive 13-day experience aboard the purpose-built MV Sylvia Earle, operated by the carbon-neutral Aurora Expeditions, seamlessly blends scientific exploration with creative advocacy. Participants will engage in workshops on essay writing, photography, and fine art painting, alongside opportunities for Arctic scuba diving and kayaking. Through multimedia storytelling and collaboration with experts, the expedition will galvanise global awareness and inspire environmental stewardship.
“Changes at the poles have a huge impact on the rest of our climate system. Sea ice reflects the light and heat of the Sun back into space and helps keep our planet cool, but as sea ice melts, dark ocean water is revealed and it absorbs heat. More heat means more melt and more exposed ocean, and this positive feedback loop drives further warming of our world. The poles are warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, and our climate stability is quickly melting away along with the glaciers,” says Dr. Sylvia Earle.
Threats to Polar Bears and Arctic Warming:
· Polar Bears: As Arctic sea ice diminishes due to global warming, polar bears face longer fasting periods, which lead to fertility issues, starvation, and population decline. They are also increasingly exposed to pollutants and at greater risk of human-bear conflicts as they venture closer to human settlements in search of food. Oil and gas exploration further threatens their fragile ecosystems.
· Arctic Warming: The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average. Thawing permafrost releases vast amounts of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change. Melting ice destabilizes marine ecosystems, disrupts food chains, and contributes to rising sea levels. These changes threaten not only Arctic wildlife but also coastal communities worldwide, leading to food insecurity, displacement, and the loss of biodiversity.
MV Sylvia Earle Pictured here in Antarctica in 2023
The team of this HER Planet Earth Arctic 2025 Expedition is formed by women of diverse nationalities and backgrounds, including two British Oceanographers and a few members of the Terra Goddesses community—an inspiring Singapore-based collective of women changemakers, storytellers, and climate advocates founded by Christine. While they are all incredibly well accomplished in their careers, they are equally passionate about protecting the environment and empowering underprivileged women.
The HER Planet Earth Arctic 2025 Expedition represents an unprecedented collaboration between science, advocacy, and creative expression, all in service of a singular mission: to protect the Arctic and inspire global climate action. By bringing together trailblazing women, led by the legendary Dr. Earle, this journey embodies the power of collective impact in addressing the climate crisis. The expedition aims to not only document the beauty and fragility of the Arctic but also to amplify the voices of those most affected by its rapid changes. Through research, education, and storytelling, it seeks to galvanise a global audience to take meaningful steps toward safeguarding our planet for future generations. Together, this team of changemakers will shine a light on the urgent need for unity and innovation to preserve the Arctic, securing a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Find out More
About HER Planet Earth
Founded by Amour-Levar in 2017, HER Planet Earth is a non-profit organisation headquartered in Singapore that aims to empower women to mitigate climate change. One of its core objectives is to inspire more women to become policymakers and agents of change to achieve social and economic equity and a healthy, thriving planet. HER Planet Earth organises challenging, often pioneering, self-funded expeditions around the world to raise awareness about environmental degradation and fund programs that empower and educate underprivileged women affected by climate change—ultimately helping them build climate resilience. The organisation partners with nature lovers, environmentalists, scientists, polar explorers, adventurers, women’s rights advocates, corporates, tech entrepreneurs, feminists, and charities that have programs dedicated to building a deeper connection between gender equality, genuinely sustainable development, and environmental protection. www.herplanetearth.com
About Dr. Sylvia Earle
Dr. Earle, affectionately known as "Her Deepness," is a renowned oceanographer, explorer, author, and advocate for marine conservation whose groundbreaking work has spanned more than six decades. She is the founder of Mission Blue, a global coalition dedicated to protecting and restoring the ocean’s biodiversity through the establishment of marine protected areas called "Hope Spots." Her pioneering efforts to bring attention to the critical state of our oceans have earned her a reputation as one of the world’s foremost champions of marine life.
Dr. Earle served as the first female Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she spearheaded innovative research on the health of marine ecosystems and the impacts of human activity on the ocean. Her illustrious career includes over 7,000 hours of underwater exploration, during which she led countless expeditions, including a record-breaking solo dive to 1,000 metres beneath the ocean’s surface.
A prolific author and speaker, Earle has published more than 200 scientific and popular publications, including the influential books The World Is Blue and Blue Hope, which address the urgency of ocean conservation. Her passion for marine ecosystems is matched only by her ability to inspire action through storytelling, making her a beloved figure in environmental circles worldwide.
Dr. Earle’s extraordinary contributions to science and conservation have earned her over 100 international accolades, including Time Magazine’s first Hero of the Planet award and the TED Prize in 2009, which she used to launch Mission Blue. She has also been named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress and a Champion for the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme. Her work has influenced global policy, encouraging nations to prioritize marine protection and sustainable practices.
About the Expedition Ship - Sylvia Earle
Built in 2022 and named in honour of Dr. Sylvia Earle, this purpose-built vessel by Aurora Expeditions features revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW® technology, making it ideal for exploring remote regions. With 70 comfortable cabins, a science centre, a lecture lounge, and wellness facilities, it offers the perfect base for Arctic exploration.
About Ocean Geographic
Ocean Geographic is a platform dedicated to exploring, documenting, and advocating for the world's oceans and their ecosystems. It aims to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of marine biodiversity through stunning photography, compelling storytelling, and scientific insights. The organisation often engages in initiatives promoting ocean conservation, education, and sustainable practices. Its members and contributors include marine biologists, underwater photographers, and environmental advocates passionate about protecting the marine environment for future generations. https://www.ogsociety.org/
Join Us in Supporting This Cause
HER Planet Earth invites individuals, corporations, and institutions to support this mission through donations, sponsorships, or by amplifying its message. Together, we can safeguard the Arctic and empower women to lead in the fight for a sustainable future. To support the mission and help fund the Youth Documentary please make a donation here.
For more information about the expedition please email:
connect@herplanetearth.com
