Join PONANT and The Explorers Club as We Celebrate Antarctic Ambassadorship Day: April 24, 2024

As climate change continues to reshape our planet, the fragility of Antarctica’s pristine wilderness becomes ever more apparent. Antarctic Ambassadorship Day was created to raise global awareness of this critical environment. To commemorate the event – on April 24 and all year long – we invite you to join PONANT and The Explorers Club as we continue to unravel the mysteries of this great white wilderness, and spread the word about its essential role in the health of our planet.

How Antarctic Ambassadorship Day Was Born

In 1959, when the Antarctic Treaty was signed, dozens of nations agreed to designate the continent as a scientific preserve, ensuring that it would be used for peaceful purposes and protecting its delicate ecosystem. But the treaty couldn’t fend off the numerous threats facing Antarctica today – to its ice shelves, to its water temperature, to its marine life. As a response to these challenges, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators founded the Antarctic Ambassadorship Committee. The committee’s goal will sound familiar to PONANT guests – to transform travelers who have visited the white wilderness (and even those who have not) into advocates for the region.

To that end, Antarctic Ambassadorship Day was born. This important day aims to inspire people to act toward and support the preservation of the continent for future generations.

Join PONANT and The Explorers Club as We L.E.A.P. for Antarctica

Our alliance with The Explorers Club perfectly aligns with the goals of Antarctic Ambassadorship Day and the Antarctic Ambassadorship Committee. PONANT has long been instrumental in raising awareness about the continent through our voyages to the region. As our guests have experienced the wonder of Antarctica firsthand, we have hoped to foster a deeper appreciation for this remote wilderness and increase urgency around the need to protect it.

The Explorers Club elevates our passion to even greater heights. We’ve invited some of its most brilliant and innovative members – scientists in geology, marine biology, and climate – to join us on select departures of our luxury Antarctic expeditions. They’ll not only conduct research that will further advance the knowledge of the global scientific community, but they’ll also share their insights with our guests, demonstrating the importance of Antarctic conservation and inspiring others to join in the effort.

The organizers of Antarctic Ambassadorship Day hope to empower everyone – not only Antarctic alumni – to LEAP into advocacy by:

Loving and respecting the continent;

Educating others by sharing their experiences and knowledge;

Advocating for Antarctica when the opportunity to do so arises;

Protecting Antarctica by making positive changes at home.

Want to Support Antarctic Ambassadorship Day? Here’s How.

While PONANT and The Explorers Club strive to play a vital role in promoting conservation, we hear from many of our travelers who have just returned from Antarctica wanting to help. The good news is, you don’t need a scientific background to make a difference. Here are some ways you can support Antarctic Ambassadorship Day and contribute to the preservation of this unique ecosystem:

Educate yourself: Even if you haven’t yet visited Antarctica, you can still learn about the challenges it faces. It just takes a few minutes a day to read, for instance, about how Antarctica helps to regulate the Earth’s climate, or how the survival of its marine life affects the food chain all around the globe. 

Travel responsibly: If you have the opportunity to visit Antarctica, choose a responsible tour operator. And while you’re there, respect the wildlife and follow the instructions of your guides to minimize your impact on the fragile ecosystem.

Spread the word: Share your experiences and knowledge about Antarctica with others. Use social media, blogs, and other platforms to raise awareness about Antarctic conservation and inspire others to take action.

Support conservation efforts: If you’d like to financially support organizations that work to preserve the Antarctic ecosystem and raise awareness, reach out to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, the Antarctic Science Foundation, the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund, and many other organizations that you can find online.