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Antarctica, Plastic Pollution & The Future

Antarctica, Plastic Pollution & The Future

by Cathy Earle in News

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, leadership and innovation are more crucial than ever. Dr. Saffron Bryant, a Senior Lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, embodies these qualities through her work in science and sustainability. In a recent podcast, Dr. Bryant shares her experiences from an extraordinary expedition to Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound initiative, and we discuss the need for plastic reduction and sustainable practices.

A Journey to the End of the Earth

On November 3, 2023, Dr. Bryant joined 80 remarkable women from 19 countries on a three-week expedition to Antarctica. This journey, organized by Homeward Bound, aimed to inspire and equip women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) with the skills to lead and drive sustainable change. The expedition was more than just a scientific mission; it was a leadership initiative designed to foster collaboration and action for a better future.

Dr. Bryant's work bridges chemistry, biology, and physics, focusing on real-world challenges such as cryopreservation, drug delivery, and wound healing. Beyond her scientific pursuits, she is a passionate environmental advocate and a prolific writer, with over 30 science fiction and fantasy novels to her name. 

During the podcast, Dr. Bryant discusses how her experiences in Antarctica and the amazing women she met on the trip. As part of her fundraising efforts for the expedition, Dr. Bryant pledged to go plastic free for a week. Instead of participating for just one week she is now making it her 2025 mission to cut back as much plastic as possible from here day-to-day purchases. 

Dr. Bryant's vision for the future is one where science and sustainability go hand in hand. She believes in the potential for scientific breakthroughs to address the plastic pollution crisis, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation.

Tags: antartica plastic free plastic free podcast plastic pollution

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