Adventurer Mike Horn visits Australia on his global expedition for environmental action.
July 6th, 2009
There aren’t many people who can fill out ‘Adventurer’ under occupation on their tax form, but Mike Horn certainly can.
The South African adventurer has taken on some of the world’s toughest environments, from the forests of Brazil to the depths of darkness in the freezing North Pole.
Horn’s latest adventure, however, is not so much about conquering great landscapes as it is about giving back to the environment and creating new young explorers in the process.
The PANGAEA (PAN Global Adventure for Environmental Action) Expedition was born out of Horn’s love and respect for the environments he has come to know so well, and is an acknowledgement that climate change and the environment are Global concerns.
Key to the expedition, taking over 22,000 hours design time, the Pangaea is a 35-metre sailboat that sleeps 30 people and employs the latest technologies to ensure the comfort and safety of its passengers. The vessel incorporates a raft (if you’ll excuse the pun) of sustainable features including solar panels, BlueTec engines and the boat itself is made from recyclable aluminium.
The expedition aims to engage the world’s youth, helping them to interact with the environment in a proactive way, understanding the problems we face and actively developing solutions.
Essentially the program involves the establishment of 12 sustainable projects over a period of four years across the Globe and invites young people (aged between 13-20) to get involved.
Known as the Young Explorer Program the concept has so far seen two groups of 12 young people join Mike Horn on two projects – one in Antarctica, the other in New Zealand. The next will see the Pangaea take on another 12 young explorers to visit the Indonesian Seas, exploring the area’s biodiversity.
Horn was able to build his boat and launch the expedition by capturing the imagination of some major sponsors, Mercedes Benz and Officine Panerai and Geberit. It was Geberit who convinced Horn that a visit to Australia was a must.
The Pangaea stopped off in Sydney on its way up the coast last week. With nine expeditions still open for registration, there are still plenty of opportunities for young Australians to get involved.
Visit mikehorn.com for more information and to follow the progress of the Pangaea.
geberit.com
INDESIGN is on instagram
Follow @indesignlive
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
It’s widely accepted that nature – the original, most accomplished design blueprint – cannot be improved upon. But the exclusive Crypton Leather range proves that it can undoubtedly be enhanced, augmented and extended, signalling a new era of limitless organic materiality.
In this candid interview, the culinary mastermind behind Singapore’s Nouri and Appetite talks about food as an act of human connection that transcends borders and accolades, the crucial role of technology in preserving its unifying power, and finding a kindred spirit in Gaggenau’s reverence for tradition and relentless pursuit of innovation.
Instyle has released two new print designs to their Ecoustic® range, a sophisticated and innovative collection of panel, screen and tile products designed to provide superior sound absorption and superior pinability.
To celebrate the arrival of Spring and a refreshing selection of new products from the Salone del Mobile 2010, the Primavera Pop-Up opened in Brisbane on Tuesday 21 September, with Abey, Bisazza, italpoint, Bysteel, City Design, Urban Turf and Thermal Technology products all present.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Taking cues from Harry Seidler’s materials and curving corridors as well as luxury hotels and hospitality design, GroupGSA has completed a new suite of offices in Sydney.
Introducing Verve by Autex, contoured panels reshaping acoustic design. The new range turns flat surfaces into sculptural, light-responsive features to elevate both form and function in any interior space.