To Antarctica in search of answers

For the families, the news of the girls wanting to go on expedition as tough as this one came as a major surprise. And when the two announced that they have been selected for the International Antarctica Expedition (IAE) 2012 team, the families realised there was no turning back. The reactions ranged from elation to scepticism and caution, but the two Emirati girls had their minds set and eventually got their parents’ approval. Reem Al Junaibi and Maitha Al Kaabi, two students from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology have quite different research targets for the IAE 2012. Reem, who is the first in the family to have undertaken an expedition of this magnitude, is researching on the effect of mixed sources of energy, specifically renewable, with its intermittent behaviour on the electric grid. Maitha, on the other hand, wants to help the UAE in its desalination efforts and her father with ways to reduce ground salinity at his farms that produce dates. She expects the Antarctica expedition will allow her to see the process of temperature-induced salt precipitation, a key factor ?in her research, in the natural ?environment. “I had an idea about the expedition to Antarctica and I understand the accompanying difficulty and challenge, but at the same time, I knew how beneficial it would be for Reem,” said Jumaa Al Junaibi, Reem’s father. “I believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and my trust in my daughter and the knowledge of her strength and courage made me agree and be confident,” he added. The subject of his daughter’s research is also something that the father supports. “I believe renewable energy is new and any study in the subject will be beneficial to humanity as many questions in this field haven’t been answered yet,” said Jumaa Al Junaibi. Moza Khamis Al Meqbali, Maitha’s mother, says she was happy and proud when she heard the news of her ‘little girl’ being selected for the expedition. “But I was, and I still am, scared of leaving her to complete her mission, even after Maitha explained all the safety precautions. I am a mother and you know a mother’s heart,” she went on. Mohammed Abdullah Butti Al Kaabi, Maitha’s father, was too happy, but ‘a bit confused’ at the news. “I do not want to be a tough father and I definitely do not want to stop her from achieving her dreams. I do feel proud of my daughter. Maitha is special to me; she has a different mindset than her sisters. She preferred to complete her higher education than take up a job. She loves to learn a lot and she respects education and the scientists,” he said. For Maitha, adventure is not new. She has gone skydiving earlier. That is why Maitha’s father strongly believes his daughter is spiritually tough enough to withstand the challenges of this expedition. “I think I have adventurous children. All my children, girls or boys, love to take up tough challenges such as climbing the mountains in search of honey. But I didn’t know that Maitha is the most adventurous of all my daughters. I did not believe her when she told me that she went skydiving last summer. I did not believe her until she showed me her videos. She jumped from the plane at a height of 13,000 feet. I felt angry initially, especially when she told me that it was real fun. But I know she loves trying new things,” said Mohammed Al Kaabi. Both girls have been shopping for some of the necessary equipment for the expedition. The final items will be purchased in Ushuaia, south Argentina, the last town on the American continent before hitting the freezing waters leading to Antarctica. IAE was initiated by polar explorer, environmental leader and public speaker Robert Swan, the first person in history to walk to both the North and South poles. Swan has dedicated his life to ?the preservation of Antarctica by the promotion of recycling, ?renewable energy and sustainability to combat the effects of climate change. “As the last wilderness on Earth, Antarctica is currently protected by the treaty prohibiting drilling and mining until 2041. Decisions made by today’s youth will impact our entire planet’s ecosystem,” declared Swan. The IAE 2012 will begin on February 27, with 72 people on board the Sea Spirit, the ship approved for polar waters, including the two Masdar students, as well as several other UAE representatives. After sailing through some of the toughest waters on the planet and giant icebergs and after camping on ice and polar wildlife, the group will return on March 12.