Antarctica Climate Blog for Armchair Travelers

 Live dispatches from climate scientist-turned-blogger Sybille Klenzendorf from on board the first carbon-neutral Antarctica trip will appeal to both your armchair-travel readers and those scoping out their next big travel adventure.  The World Wildlife Fund scientist’s firsthand reports are available on Natural Habitat Adventures’ website (www.NatHab.com; click on “Antarctic Journal”) while the trip’s underway through February 22.  Read her newest, February 9 dispatch for a sample at www.nathab.com/antarcticadispatch.  A press release with details follows.  

Dispatches from the Climate Change Front

In-the-field blog from on board first carbon-neutral Antarctic tour

Boulder, Colorado – February 13, 2008 – Beagle Passage views of open ocean.  Albatross spottings.  Drake Passage seasickness remedies.  And that’s just Day One in World Wildlife Fund (WWF) climate scientist Sybille Klenzendorf’s down-to-earth dispatches as she accompanies  47 adventurers on the world’s first carbon-neutral Antarctic tour.  Follow this scientist-turned-blogger’s adventures firsthand online as she helps passengers interpret the nuances of climate change amid the White Continent’s otherworldy landscape—even as she deals with such Antarctic realities as rough seas and how to dress for deep-freeze temperatures.

In her on-board scientist role, Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, director of the WWF Species Conservation Program, will report on the experience from a personal and climate perspective in a series of live journal entries posted online as she travels aboard the 20-day Natural Habitat Adventures’ wildlife ecotour of Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia through February 22, 2008.  Visit Natural Habitat Adventures website (www.nathab.com) and click on “Antarctic Journal” for Dr. Klenzendorf’s reports.

“So over the next three weeks I’ll try to convey not just what we are seeing, but why these things are important – and what they mean to me personally,” Dr. Klenzendorf wrote in her first blog entry. “I’ll also let you know how you can help in our efforts to preserve this region. A trip to Antarctica is a tremendously special experience, and I truly hope that you get the opportunity to come see it for yourself.”

Travel on Natural Habitat Adventures’ Antarctic experience is by the ice-strengthened Finnish research vessel Professor Multanovskiy, and includes shore landings on the Antarctic Peninsula.  The region’s wildlife on view includes numerous penguin species – most notably South Georgia king penguins by the millions – as well as a variety of dolphins, seals and whales.  Natural Habitat Adventures pays to offset carbon dioxide emissions released as a result of the trip via top-rated carbon offsetter Sustainable Travel International/MyClimate.

“All our trips incorporate meaningful nature encounters and conservation learning opportunities – and in fact all of our trips are carbon neutral,” said Ben Bressler, founder and director of Boulder, Colorado-based Natural Habitat Adventures, recently lauded as “a pioneer in sustainable travel” by National Geographic Adventure magazine, which named the February Antarctica journey to its “25 Best New Trips ‘08” list.  “This first carbon-neutral expedition to Antarctica seemed the perfect opportunity to allow guests to really go to another level with learning about climate change.”

Media Contacts:  Matt Kareus, Natural Habitat Adventures, 303.449.3711, mattk@nathab.com; or Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, 307.734.5335, darla@wordenpr.com.

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