What happens when a fearless philanthropist, a legendary oceanographer, and a group of change-making women sail beyond 80 degrees North into one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems?
To find out, GRAZIA Singapore spoke with Christine Amour-Levar, social entrepreneur and the founder of HER Planet Earth, on her groundbreaking Arctic expedition with renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle. Their mission: to spotlight the accelerating climate crisis and amplify the essential role of women in environmental leadership.
A New Generation At The Helm
Combining science, storytelling, and bold exploration, this extraordinary adventure isn’t just about admiring the Arctic’s stark beauty. It’s a wake-up call—an appeal to act. From calving glaciers to polar bear encounters, the upcoming expedition will document scenes from a region vanishing before our eyes, while amplifying the voices of women at the frontlines of climate resilience.
Amour-Levar is one such woman. The Singapore-based social entrepreneur founded HER Planet Earth, a non-profit organisation that advocates for gender equality and environmental conservation. Since 2017, HER Planet Earth has led expeditions from Antarctica to the Himalayas. Each journey raises awareness and funds for women impacted by climate change around the world. The upcoming Arctic mission, set to take place in June 2025, is the latest in a long line of powerful initiatives. It continues the organisation’s mission to integrate advocacy with exploration. As melting sea ice accelerates biodiversity loss, the Arctic stands at the frontline of the climate crisis.
Joining this mission is Amour-Levar’s daughter, Angeline, a budding environmental filmmaker who is already using her lens to capture the changing world she’s inheriting. Amour-Levar shared, “As a mother, watching Angeline grow into a young woman who genuinely cares about the planet fills me with immense hope. Her generation brings a remarkable energy—they’re informed, fearless, and deeply connected to the issues that matter. When Angeline talks about the future, she doesn’t just ask, ‘Why?’. She asks, ‘What can I do?’. That proactive spirit is exactly what the world needs right now.”
A Voyage For The Arctic’s Future
Set to launch from Longyearbyen, Norway, the 13-day Arctic voyage will take place aboard the MV Sylvia Earle. Organised in collaboration with Ocean Geographic’s BIG ACE programme, the expedition honours Dr. Earle’s 90th birthday. At the same time, it sheds light on the urgent realities of climate change in the Arctic.
“Meeting Dr. Earle in Antarctica in 2023 was a moment I’ll never forget,” Amour-Levar recalls. “We were on separate scientific missions, but she graciously invited us aboard her beautiful vessel. In the stillness of the polar landscape, we bonded over our shared mission to protect the planet. Being part of the BIG ACE Arctic expedition now feels like a dream come true—born from that unforgettable encounter.”
This powerful voyage will unite a team of global changemakers at the frontlines of environmental collapse. Its focus: bringing renewed attention to one of Earth’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
Women At The Frontline
But this mission is about more than just observing. HER Planet Earth’s commitment to this expedition runs deeper. The team intends to engage with women leaders in the town of Longyearbyen, where the effects of climate change aren’t a televised threat, but a lived reality. These powerful conversations aim to spotlight underrepresented voices and inspire a new wave of climate action driven by global collaboration.
Amour-Levar reveals, “Expeditions like these require meticulous planning—from equipment and logistics to fundraising and risk management. But perhaps the biggest challenge is internal: confronting the scale of the climate crisis without feeling overwhelmed. When you witness melting glaciers or hear first-hand from communities affected by environmental collapse, the emotional weight is real. Yet, those moments also reinforce our responsibility to act. Staying hopeful, grounded, and focused on impact is an ongoing journey in itself.”
Amplifying Voices, Igniting Change
Amour-Levar reminds us that while the stakes are high, the solutions are within reach. “There are so many ways to have a positive impact on the world,” she shared. “Support climate education. Reduce your carbon footprint. Mentor a young environmentalist. Donate to trusted organisations like Ocean Geographic, Conservation International, or The Nature Conservancy. But above all, talk about it. Start conversations with your children, your friends, your colleagues. Every story we share creates a ripple—and those ripples can become waves of real, lasting change.”
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