In the Footsteps of Charles Darwin: A Global Journey Empowering Change
Embark on the Darwin200 Global Voyage, a transformative two-year journey in the footsteps of Charles Darwin Join young conservationists on this empowering adventure that aims to shape future leaders and create a global classroom for environmental conservation
Editors Note: Call to Earth, a CNN editorial series, is dedicated to addressing the environmental challenges our planet faces, as well as the solutions. Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative has teamed up with CNN to raise awareness and provide education on key sustainability issues, as well as to encourage positive action.
A unique vessel, the 106-year-old, three-masted sailing ship "Oosterschelde," is currently docked in the South Atlantic port of Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The ship is on a two-year journey retracing the path of British naturalist Charles Darwin, almost two centuries after he embarked on his renowned voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, which greatly influenced his theory of evolution.
The Oosterschelde set sail from Plymouth, England last August, following a simplified version of Darwin's route to Australia. The ship will visit 32 ports around the world, including significant locations Darwin explored, such as the Galapagos Islands and the Falkland Islands. The mission of the voyage is to empower young conservationists.
The Darwin200 Global Voyage was co-founded by Stewart McPherson, a British geographer and natural history writer. The inspiration for the project came from a meeting over 10 years ago with Fred Burton, a conservationist on the Cayman Islands who initiated a project to save the blue iguana species.
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How Charles Darwin is inspiring a new generation of conservationists
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McPherson stated, "He was determined to prevent it from falling into extinction and single-handedly rescued this incredible animal. It demonstrates that we have the ability to save numerous species."
"I have always admired Charles Darwin and his contributions, and it's clear that Darwin had a significant impact on the world with his ideas... The key message of Darwin200 is that it's not too late. We still have the power to make a positive change for the future world," McPherson added.
Darwin Leaders
The vessel transports a dedicated group of eight individuals, consisting of an avian expert, educator in the field of science, expert in marine biology, and a professional journalist, in addition to an additional seven crew members encompassing skilled sailors.
At each port, groups of passionate "Darwin Leaders" join the crew to contribute to nature conservation and global efforts to protect the planet. A week-long conservation leadership training program will be attended by a total of 200 individuals at different legs of the voyage.
The ship set sail from Plymouth, England, in August 2023.
Darwin200/George Amies
McPherson mentioned that they connect them with a fantastic local conservation project, where they gain valuable knowledge to bring back to their home countries for future use. Joseph Roy, a Darwin Leader from India, voyaged to Brazil to join the ship for a week while it was docked at Rio de Janeiro in November. With a background in wildlife from Kerala, India, he has a longstanding passion for conservation. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Ecology at the University of Glasgow and The Scottish Centre for Ecology.
"I find peace in the wild, which helps me maintain a positive outlook on the world, so I make it a point to observe nature as often as possible," he explained. "I believe that science holds the key to solving any problem on the planet."
Roy's conservation efforts are centered on reintroducing howler monkeys to the Tijuca Forest in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro. His ultimate goal is to apply the knowledge and research gained from this project to his work on reintroducing the endangered lion-tailed macaque species in India, where only 3,000 individuals remain in the wild.
" I am always curious about everything…[so] I make an effort to converse with people about their work," Roy mentioned. "From their breeding techniques for the howler monkeys to the way they keep track of their health… I strive to gather as much knowledge [to bring back home]."
Darwin Leader Joseph Roy wants to apply what he learns from the Darwin200 initiative to reintroduce the lion-tailed macaque species in India.
Darwin 200
Global classroom
Dr. Sarah Darwin, a researcher at the Berlin Natural History Museum and the great-great-granddaughter of Charles Darwin, is also a key supporter of Darwin200. She sees the project as providing hope for a more positive future for the planet.
According to her interview with CNN, each Darwin leader brings unique skills and takes what they need from the network. The goal is to provide support and help them continue their work, making them feel part of a community. The initiative also aims to inspire more than just the 200 Darwin Leaders, offering free outreach activities during the voyage for students, teachers, and individuals worldwide. These activities, known as the "world's most exciting classroom," are designed to encourage curiosity and a love for learning through online interactive experiments, live lectures, and interviews with conservationists and wildlife experts.
McPherson hopes these activities, along with the project itself, will empower young leaders to drive change, creating a "ripple effect" that, much like Darwins work, will be felt for decades to come.
