Exxpedition Round the World

Hello and thank you for visiting my #GoFundMe page!

My name is Captain Breezy Grenier, FRGS, and I am an Ocean M.E.S.E.- Mariner, Educator, Scientist, Explorer. I am honored and lucky enough to be one of the newest members of eXXpedition Round the World!
eXXpedition is comprised of an incredibly talented and diverse crew of women – artists, scientists, filmmakers, sustainability professionals, businesswomen, sailors and so much more. Round the World will be completed over the next two years consisting of 30 voyages, 300 women, and over 3800 nautical miles. I am lucky enough to join the crew on the first leg, starting in Plymouth, UK on October 7th and sailing to the Azores, arriving on October 20th.

The voyage is a pioneering ocean sailing expedition to circumnavigate the globe with the aim of raising awareness of, and explore solutions to, the devastating environmental and health impacts of single-use plastics and toxics in the world’s ocean.

My travels have brought me to some of the most remote places on the planet, and the one thing everywhere has in common in pollution, mostly in the form of plastics. I am the Founding Director of Scientists are Superheroes too and Eco-Elders, reaching out to different generations, to not only form bonds, but to help inspire ideas, and change of habits to reduce their plastics footprint.  To learn more about me, check out www.breezyseas.com.

You can also view my video application on why I wanted to join RTW here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gFYBU1pHs1nbYjH0wQCkD83KgDz1yWfv/view?usp=sharing

ABOUT EXXPEDITION
eXXpedition, is the Community Interest Company behind Round the World 2019-2021, specialists in all-women sailing trips with a focus on highlighting the devastating impact single-use plastic and toxics from land-based activities are having on our planet’s oceans, ecosystems and on human health.
Previous research carried out by eXXpedition has highlighted the endemic nature of micro plastics within our ocean environments globally and the increasing potential impact they have on human health.
eXXpedition was founded in 2014 by ocean advocate Emily Penn and Dr Lucy Gilliam to make the unseen seen, from the toxics in our bodies to the toxics in our seas. eXXpedition became a Community Interest Company in 2017.
You can read more information about our team here: www.exxpedition.com/team

AIMS OF EXXPEDITION
● To collect scientific samples to feed into large-scale studies
● To explore the scale of plastic pollution and the available solutions
● To facilitate collaboration opportunities between the diverse crew of women – artists, scientists, filmmakers, sustainability professionals, businesswomen, sailors and so much more
● To empower the all-female crew to become more effective ocean ambassadors
● To carry out outreach events, where possible, to engage local communities and generate press coverage

AIMS OF EXXPEDITION ROUND THE WORLD
● Support solutions-based science by contributing to world class scientific studies that are urgently needed to inform up-stream solutions and close the loop on plastic waste on land
● Challenge perceptions by using our platform to inform and educate so that people can better understand the real problem of micro-plastics and use that to shape actions and solutions
● Create a community of change-makers and inspiring global ambassadors to tackle plastic pollution back on dry land. During their ocean experience participants discover the power of their individual roles in addressing the issues. Empowered by their first hand experience at sea
we provide the tools, confidence and support they need to become effective leaders that can influence meaningful impact through their personal and professional communities.

SCIENCE ON BOARD
For our Round the World voyages, eXXpedition will work in partnership with internationally-recognised ocean plastic experts to carry out plastics-related citizen science, both at sea and on shore. Professor Richard Thompson and his team of scientists at the University of Plymouth will be taking the lead on our sea-based science programme, while the collaboration with Dr Jenna Jambeck and the University of Georgia will be focused on land impacts. The impacts on local communities will be
measured using a Circularity Assessment Protocol, developed at the University of Georgia, which looks at everything from waste washed up on coastlines to plastics in community shops.

FACTS ABOUT OCEAN PLASTIC
● 8 million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into the ocean each year (Jenna Jambeck)
● Only 9% of recyclable plastic is recycled globally (more info: https://goo.gl/aozz5D)
● We use over one million plastic bags every minute worldwide (see a live count of the plastic bags used worldwide here: https://goo.gl/MT4bEW)
● By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (source: https://goo.gl/a2rZG7)
● There are five subtropical gyres, where plastic is collecting in the ocean (more info: https://goo.gl/4r2rNU)
● Most plastics, even when certified as biodegradable, do not breakdown in water (source: https://goo.gl/QaSdWM)
● Toxic chemicals in the ocean, such as pesticides, flame retardants and industrial waste, lead to bioaccumulation of toxics in the food chain
● Many chemicals found in plastic have been linked to disease, and are found to be contaminating our bodies through food and other plastic consumer products
● Plastic debris also threatens marine and terrestrial wildlife through entanglement or by clogging their digestive tracts.

YOUR SUPPORT
Unfortunately, mounting a sailing expedition is expensive. And, each volunteer participant is paying her own way. We’re mitigating the costs as best we can, but even with key sponsorships the trip will cost about $15,000+ per person which includes flights, vessel usage, expedition expenses: trucking and excess baggage for expedition gear; long-distance team conference calls, Internet support, hotels and meals, etc.). Itemized breakdown upon request.

I’m hoping that this #GoFundMe campaign will help me raise two thirds quarters of my costs (~$10,000) to participate in the expedition, with a deadline of September 1st.

Your gift, no matter how small, will help lead the way in marine plastics education and inspire curiosity and action for all who watch, listen to, or experience the eXXpedition Round the World.
You can also donate via PayPal to avoid fees (message me for details).

eXXpedition women are on a journey of discovery, We hope to inspire and empower not only young women but ocean enthusiasts everywhere. I need your help to change lives, shift career paths, alter behavior, and spark a movement.

Check my GoFundMe page for updates! I’ll be posting about eXXpedition, the inspiration behind the expedition, and what I am doing to prepare for this Fall's upcoming expedition.