Exploring the frontlines of Climate Change: The research vessel BELGICA in the context of 125 years of Belgian Antarctic Expeditions
Join us for an inspiring lecture that bridges the past and present of polar exploration and climate research. Christian Clauwers, explorer, photographer, and climate advocate, will take you on a journey from the Arctic to Antarctica and Pacific island states, where melting glaciers and rising sea levels threaten biodiversity, food security, and entire nations.
The lecture will honor the legacy of Adrien de Gerlache and the pioneering Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897–1899, highlighting its significance as the starting point of Belgium’s deep connection to polar research. Building on this legacy, Christian will showcase the modern research vessel BELGICA, an advanced platform for groundbreaking oceanographic and polar studies, and its critical role in understanding the impacts of climate change.
Delve into scientific discoveries, from ice-coring to the study of vulnerable ecosystems like Marie Byrd Land, and explore innovative conservation efforts such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Christian will also emphasize the importance of indigenous wisdom, marine and polar research, and collaborative approaches to inspire actionable climate solutions.
Through captivating visuals and thought-provoking insights, this lecture connects history, science, and policy, offering a unique perspective on the urgent fight against climate change.
Foreword by Belgian Ambassador Filip Vanden Bulcke
This in-person event at the Explorers Club Headquarters will include an audience Q&A.
Streaming live here on explorers.org, our YouTube Channel, and our Facebook Live — Tuesday, February 11th at 7:00 pm ET.
RESERVATIONS
This will be an in-person lecture at Explorers Club Headquarters.
In-person tickets are $20 for Members, and $35 for the General Public.
Check-in will begin at 6:00 pm, with a beer and wine reception from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Christian Clauwers
Christian Clauwers is a Belgian documentary photographer, explorer, and impact storyteller devoted to illuminating the fragile relationship between humans and nature. With over a decade of experience capturing the realities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising sea levels, Christian employs the power of visual storytelling to connect science, industry, and policy, driving awareness and action.
Holding dual master’s degrees in Political Science and Global Management, Christian transitioned from a successful communications career to full-time exploration and advocacy. He has sailed the world’s five oceans, participated in cutting-edge scientific expeditions, and collaborated with international teams to document the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems and indigenous communities. His work integrates marine sciences and indigenous knowledge, fostering collaboration among global stakeholders.
Christian is a sought-after speaker, having lectured on every continent, including Antarctica, and appeared at high-profile platforms such as United Nations climate conferences, the UN Dessertification Conference COP16 (where he was invited by the Saudi royal family), European institutions and academic institutions worldwide. His seven published books spotlight pressing environmental issues, particularly the plight of island nations and their communities.
His photography has been showcased in exhibitions around the globe, with unique access to iconic sites like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and CERN. A Fellow of The Explorers Club, European Union Climate Pact Ambassador, and member of the UN Ocean Decade Network, Christian is dedicated to inspiring meaningful change through his mission-driven projects.
Christian’s work is preserved in the Arctic World Archive. He has been commissioned for the outreach and dissemination of the Belgian research vessel RV BELGICA. Christian continues to collaborate with governments, scientific institutions, and organizations to champion environmental resilience and action.
