An astronaut, a Cousteau and Gin Wigmore take to the ice

Media Release – embargoed until 6.30pm Wednesday 30 November 2016

An astronaut, a Cousteau and Gin Wigmore take to the ice for TEDxScottBase

An astronaut, a Cousteau, international researchers, sustainable business leaders, a renowned photographer, an award-winning film maker and one of New Zealand’s most popular musicians are joining forces to highlight climate change, celebrate science and embrace forward-thinking from Antarctica.

TEDxScottBase, held at Scott Base, Antarctica, is being held in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of New Zealand’s official presence in Antarctica.

The ten influential individuals who will speak at TEDxScottBase in January 2017 were revealed at TEDxScottBase’s official launch at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.

• Dr Dan Barry is a American astronaut who has logged over 734 hours in space – including more than 25 hours in space walks.

• Ashlan Cousteau is an veteran journalist, adventurer and advocate for the environment. Ashlan travels the world collecting and sharing some of Earth’s most incredible stories. Together with husband Philippe (Jacques Cousteau’s grandson), Ashlan’s worked on initiatives to document environmental phenomena and bring science alive for young people.

• Anthony Powell is the multi-award winning filmmaker behind the documentary ‘Antarctica: A Year on Ice’. He has spent a total of 114 months on the ice, including ten winters, documenting mind-blowing changes in the environment.

• Jane Ussher is New Zealand’s foremost portrait photographer and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She went to Antarctica in 2008 to photograph the historic huts of Scott and Shackleton before they were restored.

• Gin Wigmore is one of New Zealand’s favourite and most-awarded musicians having won Best Female Artist at the Vodafone Music Awards in 2015.

• Prof Gary Wilson has led more than 20 expeditions to the Antarctic and Subantarctic Islands.

• Dr Christina Hulbe from the University of Otago is currently investigating the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest floating ice mass on the planet.

• Professor Craig Cary is looking at the vast microbial life in the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

Prominent business leaders Jeremy Moon and Claudia Batten will also speak at TEDxScottBase. Each is well known in the sustainable business movement both in New Zealand and internationally.

TEDxScottBase curator Kaila Colbin says the combined expertise of the speakers is phenomenal.

“We’re exceptionally happy with the range of presenters at this event. The scientists have committed most of their adult lives to understanding the dynamic nature of the icy continent and how Antarctica’s clues to past climates can inform our understanding of the way the world is changing now. Dan Barry’s time in space has given him a perspective that very few can match, and Ashlan Cousteau has an unparalleled ability to combine science, environmentalism and entertainment. It’s going to be an outstanding and extremely diverse event.”

TEDxScottBase is supported by Antarctica New Zealand, which manages New Zealand’s interests on the icy continent. While the event itself is open only to the people who are there at the time for research purposes, TEDxScottBase will be livestreamed worldwide.

Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Peter Beggs says TEDxScottBase will play a crucial role in raising awareness about climate change and other profound issues across the world.

“What happens in Antarctica will significantly impact the entire planet, and we are delighted this line-up has so much expertise and appeal. Whether you’re interested in space, music, oceans, film, sustainability, photography, history, exploration or business, TEDxScottBase has something to offer. We have no doubt the speakers’ messages will make waves around the world,” says Peter Beggs.

Organisers are also grateful for support from Emperor partner Leighs Construction -- who have a 15-year relationship with Antarctica New Zealand, building the original Hillary Field Centre at Scott Base and leading its current extension and refurbishment -- as well as Adelie partners NZ Post, Christchurch International Airport, Lyttelton Port Company and Toyota.

For a full list of speakers, for screening times globally and a full Q&A about TEDxScottBase please visitwww.tedxscottbase.com
ENDS

Notes to editors
TEDxScottBase is not like any other TEDx event – only those who are already in Antarctica undertaking or supporting scientific research missions will be able to attend the live event on Sunday, 15 January 2017.
TEDxScottBase will be relayed to the world in a unique cutting-edge fashion. The event will be broadcast in its entirety around the globe on Sunday 22 January 2017. There will also be live viewing events, led by TEDxScottBase Hosts, across the globe on that day. Hosts will facilitate discussions between their viewing event communities and the TEDxScottBase team and speakers.
Website: www.tedxscottbase.com
Social Media: www.facebook.com/tedxscottbase
Twitter: @AntarcticaNZ
#TEDxScottBase
#Antarctica

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today's leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED's annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Monica Lewinsky, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from thousands of volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; the annual million-dollar TED Prize, which funds exceptional individuals with a "wish," or idea, to create change in the world; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

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