‘INSPIRING ARAB WOMEN TO BECOME EXPLORERS IS CRUCIAL’
▶ Princess Abeer tells The National of her Antarctic adventure and the urgent need for climate change action
Daring adventures in some of the world’s harshest environments are not activities normally associated with a princess.
However, that is exactly what Saudi Arabia’s Princess Abeer Al Saud thrives on.
In her latest adventure, she joined a research expedition in November for a journey to some of the remotest parts of Antarctica after being one of 80 applicants chosen from a pool of 1,800 to take part in the voyage.
She hopes her actions will inspire women from the Arab world to follow in her footsteps and become explorers.
“I think there is a huge underrepresentation of explorers from the Mena region,” Princess Abeer told The National.
“It is important that the world is exposed to cultures that aren’t theirs and that they see people of all colours and backgrounds can be the heroes.
“It’s also important for non-western girls like me to know they don’t need to be portrayed as someone who has to be empowered but, rather, as equal partners of positive impact. I hope that we see a growing number of both Saudi and Arab women and men as explorers in the near future.”
Society needs to see characters portrayed beyond stereotypical norms, she said.
In addition to her work with various UN agencies, Princess Abeer is chairwoman of the Sustainable Development Association, better known as Talga, in Saudi Arabia.
She explained how she was subjected to bias while taking part in the expedition.
“During lunch one day, a well-renowned woman looked at me and said ‘things must be way different where you come from as a Saudi female’,” Princess Abeer said. “I told her, ‘yes, our food, customs, art, monuments, architecture and traditional clothes are different, but our hopes for the world, dreams for the future and universal values are the same’.”
As you would expect of a journey to one of the world’s most inhospitable regions, the expedition to Antarctica was not without its challenges.
One particularly tough experience was crossing the Drake Passage, which connects the southern tip of South America with the northernmost area of the Antarctic Peninsula.
It is widely regarded by experts to be the most dangerous section of ocean on the planet.
Princess Abeer described the two-day journey by ship as wild.
“We had a very challenging 48 hours on the Drake Passage,” she said.
“My expedition mates lay on their bunks. Others used dark humour to console their anxiety by playing the Titanic soundtrack on the old piano on board in the lounge. A few others were brave and calm, enjoying their time, knowing that the storm would pass.”
She said she was steadfast in her goal for a sustainable world.
Antarctica is losing 150 billion tonnes of glacier ice a year, according to figures released by the World Economic Forum, a rate that is increasing.
“What happens in Antarctica does not stay in Antarctica,” she said. “We can’t manage the temperature rising but we can at least try to keep it to 1.5°C [above pre-industrial levels] – that should be the goal.
“Collectively, every person must take small steps to help preserve the environment because if we don’t, every part of the world and humanity will be affected by climate change – a complex problem that requires systemic solutions.”
She warned of the injustice of climate change, with much of its harmful effects absorbed by the most vulnerable members of society. “The impact of climate change is not just about the environment,” she said.
“There is also the impact on disaster risks, gender, human conflict, displacement and immigration, which affects all people in all countries.”
Princess Abeer said marginalised groups were most at risk.
“It is not an easy issue to tackle but it is one that we must succeed in,” she said, adding that women had a unique role to play when it comes to tackling climate change.
“As women, we are raised to deal with complex issues and collaborate to take care of our families, communities and environment,” she said.
Princess Abeer hopes her experience and expertise can go a long way in helping young Arabs achieve their dreams.
“My dream is to establish a university and an institute in the Empty Quarter, which will focus on biodiversity, human performance in extreme conditions and community eco-heritage preservation,” she said.
She plans to return to Antarctica in November to visit the Ross Sea.
It’s important for nonwestern girls to know they can be portrayed as equal partners of positive impact PRINCESS ABEER AL SAUD Explorer and climate activist