January 15, 2025
Insights from the Desert: Reflections from our Founder
A Mission for the Planet
Philanthropy
January 9, 2025
The countdown is over! Mission Spiritus has officially embarked on its second groundbreaking expedition. Earlier this week, the team, led by explorer Alan Chambers MBE, began their 26-day, 679-mile journey across Oman’s vast Empty Quarter. This monumental mission pushes the boundaries of environmental science and advances critical research into one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: plastic pollution.
Preparation in Action
Preparation for this expedition has been thorough and meticulous. Last month, team member Billy Perham conducted a trial run in Oman, hosted by Mohamd Zadjali, Hussain Al Hassni, and Yousuf from Outward Bound Oman. Their expertise in desert navigation and survival has been instrumental in equipping the team to face gruelling conditions, including scorching 40°C heat, sandstorms, and the rugged desert terrain.
A Mission for the Planet
Mission Spiritus is partnering with the Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to address the critical issue of plastic pollution and explore the resilience of humans in extreme environments.
- 🔬 Scientific Research: The team will collect 52 sand samples to analyse the presence of micro and nanoplastics in one of the world’s most remote regions, expediting research that would otherwise take years to complete.
- 💪 Human Performance: In collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), the mission will study human adaptability and endurance in extreme conditions. Insights from this research could inform approaches to resilience in isolated environments, such as Antarctic stations or spacecraft.
- 🌱 Global Impact: Beyond science, the mission aims to inspire millions to take action in combating environmental challenges and restoring critical ecosystems.
Findings from Mission 1: Antarctica
Mission Spiritus began its global journey with a groundbreaking expedition to Antarctica, one of the most remote and pristine environments on Earth. While the findings from the first mission are still being analysed by scientists at Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, early results have revealed the following insights:
Findings
Using advanced scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the analysis identified various particles, including Al₂O₃ (aluminum oxide). These particles are likely derived from sources outside Antarctica, offering a glimpse into possible particle origins.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics (MNPs): Some PET microfibers have been identified in the snow samples collected using Raman spectroscopy. Laboratory work to identify other microplastics and nanoplastics is ongoing. Researchers anticipate higher concentrations of MNPs near the South Pole due to increased human activities.
Significance
Atmospheric Transport: The presence of these particles in Antarctic snow indicates that they have entered the atmosphere and traveled vast distances, settling in remote regions. This finding underscores the global nature of human impact on the environment.
The Expedition Team and Beyond
This expedition is powered by an exceptional team of adventurers and changemakers:
- Alan Chambers MBE – Expedition leader, Royal Marine veteran, and philanthropist. Alan has explored over 70 countries, raised more than £14 million for charitable causes, and founded "Extreme Classrooms," an initiative transforming lives through mentoring and adventure.
- Billy Perham – Former Royal Marines officer with 32 years of service and a dedication to environmental advocacy and philanthropy. Billy has cycled 1,000 km for UK brain tumour patients and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to support Kids’ Village, among other charitable endeavors.
- David Segel – Founder of the Mako Group, adventurer, and strategic leader. David’s passion for exploration includes a ski expedition to the North Pole and a Rigid Inflatable Boat journey through the Northwest Passage.
- Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Segel – President at Storyboard Media, Elisabeth has distributed and helped finance and produce upwards of 300 films in her 26-year career including award-winning films and franchises. An advocate of sustainability, animals, and humanity, she has championed many environmental causes including STOP POACHING NOW! through her leadership in the entertainment industry.
Why This Study Needs an Expedition Team
The remoteness and harshness of the Empty Quarter make this a mission only an experienced team can undertake. By collecting samples in such extreme conditions, the expedition team is advancing research timelines by years. Their efforts bring us closer to finding solutions to the global plastic crisis.
We also extend our gratitude to:
- Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory – The scientific powerhouse driving the research.
- e-Innovate – The technology and communications partners for Mission Spiritus.
- Outward Bound Oman – The mission navigators who have supported the team’s preparation.
- Mako Trading and Segel Group – For their unwavering support of this initiative.
David Segel’s Journal: Notes from the Empty Quarter
As part of Mission Spiritus, our founder, David Segel, has graciously agreed to journal the team’s experiences as they journey through Oman’s vast Empty Quarter. Here are his reflections so far, offering a personal glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of this extraordinary expedition:
DAY 1
The first evening at camp, we made a small fire close to our sleeping bags, which we lay on folding cots under the stars, exposed to the cold and the wind. Joints are achy, and muscles keep cramping, but spirits are high as we successfully completed our first full day on foot. The day began early, at 5am, with black coffee heated over the open fire. We were eager to break camp and start the hike before first light, knowing midday temperatures would be too high for extended exposure. By 6am, we were moving, guided by the light from our headlamps. Today, we accomplished a key milestone: taking the first of 52 sand samples, along with the first of 10 control samples to test for contamination. It’s humbling to know these small vials of sand may hold answers to some of the planet’s most urgent environmental questions.
David Segel
Founder
DAY 2
Today’s walk included a second sample at the 20-kilometer mark. To our surprise, temperatures last night dropped to just a few degrees above freezing. None of us slept much, unprepared for the cold. Coffee and a small fire in the early morning helped us regain our spirits. We set off in the dark again, bundled in down jackets and layers of clothing - a strange irony, knowing that in just a few hours, temperatures would soar by nearly 60°F, making progress nearly impossible. Our mission today was a success. We covered 32.5 kilometres, collected the required sand sample, took a much-needed midday nap under the shade of a tarp, and reached camp before dark. No injuries. No broken equipment. Tonight, we’ll bundle up and prepare to do it all again tomorrow.
David Segel
Founder
David’s reflections bring the mission to life, offering a raw and heartfelt perspective on the expedition. These notes remind us of the perseverance, teamwork, and the human spirit’s ability to rise to extraordinary challenges.
Stay tuned for more updates from David and the Mission Spiritus team as they continue their journey through the Empty Quarter, pushing the boundaries of environmental science and adventure.
From Antarctica to Oman – A Seven-Part Global Mission
Following the success of last year’s Antarctica Expedition, the Oman journey is the second chapter in a seven-part mission to address humanity’s environmental challenges. Upcoming chapters include expeditions across the Northwest Passage, North America, Australia, Africa, and Asia.
Why This Research is Crucial
Far-Reaching Microplastics
Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic waste, have been discovered in nearly every corner of the Earth. They are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even within the most remote ecosystems. These particles, which degrade into even smaller nanoplastics, pose a serious threat to the environment, wildlife, and human health.
- Global Spread: Microplastics have been found in wind systems that regulate weather patterns and deep ocean currents. Their presence in the Antarctic region, uncovered during last year’s Mission Spiritus expedition, highlights the extent of their proliferation.
- Human Health Risks: Nanoplastics can enter the human body through ingestion or inhalation. Once inside, they are small enough to pass through biological barriers, including the placenta, and migrate to organs, including the brain. This raises significant concerns about their potential impact on both prenatal development and overall human health.
- Wildlife and Ecosystems: These plastics also harm biodiversity, contaminating food chains and damaging ecosystems critical to life on Earth.
By 2023, over 10 billion metric tons of plastic waste had been produced globally, with approximately 6 billion tons discarded into the environment. These staggering figures emphasise the urgency of understanding and mitigating their impact.
Accelerating Environmental Science
The mission’s focus on Oman’s Empty Quarter will provide critical insights into micro and nanoplastics in one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth.
- Sampling Sand in the Desert: By collecting and analysing 52 sand samples, the expedition team will contribute to one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on microplastics in arid regions. This research will build on the baseline data gathered during the Antarctica Expedition.
- Expediting Progress: The challenging nature of this research means that without an expedition team, it could take years to gather and process this level of data. Mission Spiritus is accelerating the timeline for solutions by making these findings available sooner.
- Collaboration with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: As pioneers in climate science and environmental research, the observatory’s team will analyse the samples in their specialised labs in Palisades, NY, with results contributing to globally relevant solutions.
Implications for Climate and Human Health
The impact of microplastics extends beyond the environment, influencing human health, disease treatment, and resilience.
- Disease and Prevention: The collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University will explore how humans adapt to extreme environments. These findings have broader implications for developing treatments for conditions affected by isolation, such as those experienced in submarines or spacecraft.
- Supporting Human Resilience: Understanding how the body functions and adapts in extreme and isolated conditions, as seen during Antarctic and desert expeditions, provides valuable insights for improving human performance and health.
A Global Call to Action
The evidence is clear: the proliferation of microplastics poses a significant challenge to life on Earth. Without urgent action, these issues will only worsen. Mission Spiritus not only contributes to the scientific understanding of these issues but also inspires a global movement to combat them.
Join the Journey
Stay updated as Mission Spiritus continues to advance science, inspire global action, and safeguard the future of our planet.
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