David de Rothschild couples adventurous expeditions with education and art programmes to address global sustainability issues. De Rothschild undertakes expeditions to some of the world’s most dangerous and environmentally challenged areas in order to win the attention of the world’s media.
Always on site
With the support of IWC de Rothschild travelled to Ecuador in April 2007 where wastewater from oil extraction has been piped into the rainforest. De Rothschild established close contacts with industry whose toxins are causing one of the greatest environmental disasters of our time.
In cooperation with IWC, David de Rothschild is also making the Plastiki Expedition to the astern Garbage Patch next year. This is a region of the Pacific Ocean where massive accumulations of plastic refuse are being driven together. Other expeditions to Madagascar and Lake Baikal are planned.
3-pillar principle
De Rothschild’s Adventure Ecology is a leader in education for sustainable development. The online educational platform www.adventureecology.com makes learning an adventure. It delivers knowledge to inspire a youth-led community to better understand the environmental challenges. “My goal is that members of this community become actively committed to a better world with an awareness of their responsibility as citizens of the world and consumers; after all, they will be tomorrow’s customers and will act as the catalyst for change.”
Alongside the education and arts programme Adventure Ecology is undertaking the ARTiculate™ series which invites high-profile artists and creative influencers on field expeditions to ARTiculate™ some of the world’s most fragile regions in their work. The first mission in the ARTiculate™ series was an expedition to Ecuador that included artist Gabriel Orozco, photographers Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, and film-maker Dustin Lynn. Under the title “Ecuador: Block 16”, largeformat pictures will be shown at the Frieze Art Fair in London from 9 to 14 October 2007.
Accepting responsibility
The watch manufacturer IWC shares de Rothschild’s commitment of sustainability and is pursuing a strong social and ecological policy as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives. IWC is not only certified as a climate-neutral business, but is also a driving force behind the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a global organization whose aim is to open up new prospects in life for underprivileged children. Furthermore, with structural measures and alternative energies IWC is cutting its CO2 emissions by at least 50%.
“With Adventure Ecology we are opening another window on to the world and allowing people to take part in environmental actions,” comments CEO Georges Kern. “With modern individuals who have a positive outlook and approach like David de Rothschild, the search for solutions to the ecological problems is gathering pace and a new way of thinking is becoming indispensable at every level. David shows that even small steps can bring about change and that environmental protection can be attractive and need not necessarily have a negative impact on our way of life. We are happy to support this process.”
