Avani Awasthee an environment crusader and the youngest Indian to have traveled to Antarctica at the age of 18, said, ‘I don’t want to protect the environment. I want to create a world where the environment doesn’t need protection.’
This resident of Pune was an Environmental Ambassador for India and was handpicked from 6000 applicants across the globe to be part of the International Antarctica Expedition in 2016. She visited Antarctica again in 2018, but this time as a mentor for 90 people from 20 different nations. The young, passionate environmentalist won the Karmaveer Chakra Award in 2019 for her sincere efforts and contributions to the environment.
How did all this start?
This girl started taking steps to protect the environment when she was just 14 years old. She made a 2-minute video on saving Antarctica, the southernmost continent and site of South Pole. Awani was not only awarded the third place for her video but was also made one of the 26 ambassadors for the Swedish packaging giant, TETRA PAK.
Avani started an initiative called The Recycle Army. Young 5-year-old children to 75-year-old individuals would cycle to places and create awareness about recycling. Awani spearheaded this initiative and gathered a lot of appreciation from people and even the media. The environment campaigner ran other successful campaigns like the crackerless Diwali, waterless Holi and even cleaned tiny hilltops.
Her Expedition to Antarctica!
Her so much dedication and hard work towards protecting the environment were noticed by Robert Swan, the first person to walk to the North and South Pole. He noticed her work and was impressed a lot. He not only pre-selected her for the Leadership Edge expedition to Antarctica but also partially funded her trip in 2016.
At the young age of 18 years, Awani approached companies to sponsor the other half of her trip to Antarctica. She required funds to buy the appropriate equipment and clothing for her trip. Later, she was finally able to go to Antarctica for the International Antarctica Expedition, along with a team of 143 people from 30 other nations.
This team of people from all across the world was a part of Robert Swan’s 2041 Foundation. The team had people from different parts of the world but they all had one aim, to contribute to the environment and generate awareness on climate change.
Experiences in Antarctica:
As she was on an expedition she went through some challenges. They were the endless sight of just water, the freezing cold where even 7 layers of clothing weren’t enough to keep one warm and the stormy, gusty winds. She spotted the first iceberg in Antarctica and also witnessed massive icebergs crashing into the icy waters.
What makes her special?
Avani went for the expedition as an ordinary girl with an extraordinary mission. But she returned as the youngest Indian to travel to Antarctica. The determined young girl became a strong environmental crusader and also adapted her lifestyle to make it more environmentally friendly. She solar-powered her home, introduced drip irrigation, water harvesting and also segregated her waste, with the help of her family.
Avani gave a TED Talk at Manipal University about her goal as well as her expedition to Antarctica. She urged the audience to start small.
In 2018 she went to Antarctica for the second time, but this time as a mentor and she had a lot of responsibilities on her shoulder. The aim of her second expedition to Antarctica was to clear 326 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in 7 years.
Avani Awasthee might be the youngest Indian to visit Antarctica but she did it for a cause. Her contribution to the environment is an inspiration for every one of us. She is not only the youngest Indian to visit Antarctica but also a recipient of the Karmaveer Chakra Award in 2019.
Avani is an ordinary young Punekar who has made extraordinary contributions to the environment. Just like her, it is our responsibility as well to protect our environment. Remember the change starts with you.
