A student's expedition to the Antarctic

Summary

Climate Connections – Episode Summary
Episode Title: A student’s expedition to the Antarctic
Date: June 8, 2026
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz
Guest: Eric G., University of Hawaii student and Bilar Institute fellow

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights University of Hawaii student Eric G.’s transformative journey to Antarctica as part of a fellowship with the Bilar Institute. Host Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz explores how this experience deepened Eric’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the urgent challenges facing Antarctica, and the potential of youth leadership in climate action.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrival in Antarctica: A Transformative Experience

• First Impressions ([00:16]):

  • Eric describes the surreal impact of stepping onto Antarctic ice for the first time—an experience that shifted his perspective on environmental stewardship.

    "Nothing really prepares you for that first moment when you step onto the ice. It's unreal. It's like nothing ever that I've experienced before in my life."
    – Eric G. [00:16]

2. Purpose of the Expedition

• Mission Context ([00:24]):

  • Eric joined explorer Robert Swann and the Bilar Institute’s expedition to raise awareness about protecting Antarctica.
  • The episode highlights the dangers posed by melting ice due to warming, and the pressures of increasing human activity on the continent’s fragile ecosystems.

• Science and Outreach ([00:32]):

  • The team participated in on-the-ground research and delivered live broadcasts to students globally to share insights about Antarctica.

    "We spoke to 2 million young people from across the world…"
    – Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz [00:38]

3. Sources of Inspiration and Call to Stewardship

• Formative Influences ([00:45]):

  • Eric credits his mother’s advice, “always leave a place better than you found it,” as central to his environmental ethic.

    "I feel like that's kind of where my passion thrived for environmental sustainability. You know, we only have one Earth, and it's our job to take care of it."
    – Eric G. [00:57]

4. Lasting Impact and Hope for Others

• Personal Change & Motivation ([01:07]):

  • Eric reflects on how the Antarctic expedition profoundly affected him, igniting a lasting sense of responsibility and desire to inspire others.

    "When you go there, you just kind of feel something different, change inside of you. And I definitely felt that, and I still feel that today."
    – Eric G. [01:13]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Nothing really prepares you for that first moment when you step onto the ice. It's unreal. It's like nothing ever that I've experienced before in my life."
  – Eric G. [00:16]

• "We only have one Earth, and it's our job to take care of it."
  – Eric G. [00:57]

• "When you go there, you just kind of feel something different, change inside of you. And I definitely felt that, and I still feel that today."
  – Eric G. [01:13]

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Key Segments & Timestamps

• [00:01] – Introduction and Eric’s background
• [00:16] – First impressions of Antarctica
• [00:24] – Purpose of the expedition and immediate climate threats
• [00:32] – Science, outreach, and student engagement
• [00:45] – Personal motivation and family influence
• [01:07] – Long-term impact and hopes for inspiration

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Episode Tone and Takeaway

With a mixture of wonder, urgency, and optimism, both Dr. Leiserowitz and Eric G. convey the emotional and global importance of protecting Antarctica. The episode emphasizes the necessity of individual and collective effort in building a sustainable future, inviting listeners to share in the inspiration and responsibility of climate action.

Transcript

[A]

I'm Dr. Anthony Liesiewicz, and this is Climate Connections. Last December, Eric G. A student at the University of Hawaii, traveled from Honolulu to one of the harshest, most remote places on Earth. Antarctica.

[B]

Nothing really prepares you for that first moment when you step onto the ice. It's unreal. It's like nothing ever that I've experienced before in my life.

[A]

G was a fellow with the nonprofit Bilar Institute on an expedition led by explorer Robert Swann that raised awareness about the need to protect Antarctica. As the climate warms, many of Antarctica's glaciers and ice shelves are melting, and increasing human activity threatens the continent's fragile ecosystem. While there, the team helped with research and broadcast live to classrooms to teach students about Antarctica. We spoke to 2 million young people from across the world, Ch she says growing up, his mom told him to always leave a place better than he found it.

[B]

And I feel like that's kind of where my passion thrived for environmental sustainability. You know, we only have one Earth, and it's our job to take care of it.

[A]

And he hopes that talking about his time in Antarctica inspires others to build a more sustainable future.

[B]

When you go there, you just kind of feel something different, change inside of you. And I definitely felt that, and I still feel that today.

[A]

Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.