Javier Bardem, Antarctica icecaps
Just for fun

Javier Bardem’s Journey to Antarctica

With every other celebrity posting pictures of their fluffy dogs, glamorous trip to the Bahamas, or yet another picture of overpriced avocado toast. Recently, one Instagram profile has started gathering traction for all the right reasons.

“Screens are so often our window onto the world. We filter the infinite currents of information and images through them. They shape how we think and they catalogue our experiences. That’s why I’ve never been on social media. And it’s also why I’ve just joined social media.” – Javier Bardem

Until a few months ago Spanish actor, Javier Bardem, refused to delve into the time-sucking black hole that is social media – it was only when he joined a three month Greenpeace expedition that he dove into those treacherous waters. But it wasn’t so that he could show fans “A Day on Set with Javier Bardem”. Whilst the rest of social media seeks to distract us from the issues at hand, Bardem has brought them back into the light. Documenting his journey with Greenpeace, he is imploring his followers and fans to take action. To seize the opportunity to preserve this untouched paradise before it is too late.

What is the Weddell Sea?

Bardem released a breath-taking video as he ventured down into the depths of the Weddell Sea. A two-hour long adventure taking him to a startling 885 feet below the surface.

“As soon as we reached the seafloor, I was completely amazed by the overwhelming variety of colours and life all around us.”  – Javier Bardem

The Weddell Sea is home to iconic sea creatures such as penguins and Killer Whales. And plays an absolutely integral role in ocean circulation. The Weddell Sea happens to be one of the very few places where surface water is dense enough to sink into the deeper parts of the ocean. In the winter, the waters surrounding this area are  extremely cold and become more saline as water is taken up during ice formation. A combination of low temperatures and higher salinity allows these waters to sink below. This process creates salty Antarctic bottom water. Without this, the deep waters of the planet would quickly become hypoxic. Life in the depths would cease to exist.

How can I help protect the Antarctic ecosystem?

Other oceans are being overfished until the brink of collapse. It is only a matter of time until fishing fleets start turning to the Weddell Sea. Greenpace has launched a petition, which you can sign, in order to urge the Antarctic Ocean Commission to pass a new mandate. They would create the largest wildlife sanctuary on the planet. Spanning 1.8 million square kilometres in the Weddell Sea, the reserve would cover an area five times the size of Spain! Far too many of us get hung over the fact that we are only one person. How can one person make a change? Let alone a mere student.

What if Martin Luther hadn’t decided to post his 95 theses? If Galileo decided he didn’t want to break the status quo? What would the world look like today if everyone decided they couldn’t make an impact? It all starts with one person believing they can make a difference. And why can’t that person be you?


Written by Sophie Z.

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