RACE FOR WATER Back to Sea with a New Expedition Around the World

USPA NEWS - RACE FOR WATER is a Foundation aiming to PRESERVE WATER from Plastic Pollution. To summarize : The Foundation aims to identify, promote and help implement Solutions that give end-of-life plastics a value and to create New Sources of Income for the people most affected by pollution....

RACE FOR WATER is a Foundation aiming to PRESERVE WATER from Plastic Pollution. To summarize : The Foundation aims to identify, promote and help implement Solutions that give end-of-life plastics a value and to create New Sources of Income for the people most affected by pollution.

- The Race for Water Foundation is developing programs based on THREE PILLARS :

* LEARN : Assemble the scientific community to better understand the impact of plastic pollution and potential solutions.

* SHARE : Alert, mobilise and inform people of the urgent need to find solutions to stem the flow of plastic pollution into the waterways of our planet. Inspire the next generation to act to preserve our water resources and engage them to make a difference with the help of the Super Hero “˜Titeuf´.

* ACT : Develop a new social economic model that gives end-of-life plastic a value and creates new sources of income for the local underprivileged communities.

- The SOLUTIONS Proposed by RACE FOR WATER Foundation :

* To develop a new Social Eeconomic Model that gives end-of-life plastic a value and creates New Sources of Income for the local Underpriviledged Communities (implementing new projects and creating a solution forum)

* To assemble the Scientific Community to better understand the impact the plastic pollution and potential solutions

* To alter, mobilise and inform people of the urgent need to find solutions to stem the flow of plastic pollution into the waterways of our planet (Schools activities, Interactive Exhibitions)

- About the THREE PILLARS :

* LEARN (Contributing to the advancement of Scientific Knowledge)
Race for Water Foundation with the Odyssey 2017-2021 pursues its commitment against the environmental scourge (plastic pollution in water), which consequences remain broadly unknown. In 2015, the first Odyssey has established an overview of plastic pollution in the oceans and initiate scientific results, which results are published in 2017. Research themes are based on solid waste and micro plastics collected on beaches situated at the heart of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans´ gyres.

For its new Odyssey 2017-2021, the Foundation will emphasize the understanding of plastic pollution with a research focus on :
-) The measure of plastic pollution
-) The impact of plastic wastes on ecosystems
-) The deterioration and toxicity of plastic
-) Eco-toxicological effects of micro plastic on food chain and human health

* SHARE (Uniting the general public around these problems)
The Foundation is mobilizing general public and decision makers on the extreme urgency of the fight against plastic pollution through travelling exhibitions, documentaries, public intervention and mediation, as well as interactions with school classes in Switzerland and more broadly in the rest of the world.

Acting as an Ambassador Boat for the Programme, the Race for Water catamaran will serve as an Educational Platform, Travelling Laboratory and a Working Demonstrator of Clean-TechIinnovations. It will also carry our Messages around the world during the ODYSSEY 2017-2021.

* ACT (From impact to solutions)
Pilot Projects are to be established from 2017 on following an Initial Phase in 2016 that identified and assessed solutions. The objective is to give plastic waste a value through an Innovative Technology that transforms plastic into energy (collect, paying collectors, treating, processing, generating electricity)

This approach, based on social entrepreneurship, creates jobs, particularly for the underprivileged. The process of Energy Production also has substantial Environment Benefits by significantly reducing plastic pollution. The projects will then be replicated to multiply their positive impact.

- Previous ODYSSEY 2015 :

* COP 21 with the presence of the Solar Vessel Race for water, bringing symbolically the ocean to the COP 21. Race for Water Foundation becomes a new member of the Ocean and Climate Platform.

* Universal Expo 2015 in Milan on the theme of 'Nourish the planet, energy for life', with an Educational and Artistic Exhibition on plastic pollution.

* UN Summit in New York in 2015 with a participation to two conferences organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) around the issue of plastic waste.

- ACTION PLAN For 2017 :

* Exhibition 'Defend a fragile planet ' on the Wilson Deck in Geneva, from June 23rd until July 26th.

* Educational booklet 'Let´s protect the most precious resource of our planet : water' illustrated by ZEP for every pupil between the age of 8 to 12, as well as a printed version for teachers of Vaud and Geneva cantons (in private and public schools) available in French, English, Spanish and German.

* Awareness interventions in private and public schools classes of Vaud and Geneva cantons for pupils between the age of 8 and 12, with documentary screening and a meeting with our scholar intermediary

* Conference and Documentary Screening (18 minutes) in private and public schools of Vaud and Geneva cantons for pupils between the age of 12 and 18.

* Publication of Scientific Results carried out during the first ODYSSEY with the EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in 2017, followed by a popularization of data for every public.

* Cycle of Conferences, Screenings and Exhibitions for Private Companies and Foundations.

- In Conclusion : RACE FOR WATER ODYSSEY 2017-2021 will be about

After the findings during the Race for Water Odyssey completed in 2015, RACE FOR WATER is launching a Second Expedition focused on a five-year programme (2017 -2021). The new Odyssey will take place on board the 'Race for Water' Catamaran (formerly Planet Solar), which is 100% self-sufficient, thanks to its ability to harness both solar and hydrogen energy (a technological achievement developed and produced by the Foundation´s partner company, Swiss Hydrogen). It will serve as an Educational Platform, Travelling Laboratory and a Working Demonstration of Clean-tech Innovations.

Source : Press Conference given at 'La Brasserie Française' in PARIS on January 31, 2017. With the following speakers :
* Marco SIMEONI : President of the Foundation
* Frédéric SCIACCA : Chief Technology Officer

Departure of RACE FOR WATER ODYSSEY 2017-2021 at LORIENT (France) on April 9, 2017 and will stay in BERMUDA during the entire time of AMERICA'S CUP.

* Copyright Photos Cover : © Ruby BIRD & Yasmina BEDDOU / Race for Water / Peter CHARAF

Ruby BIRD
http://www.portfolio.uspa24.com/
Yasmina BEDDOU
http://www.yasmina-beddou.uspa24.com/