Novara One Planet project launches - education, climate research and environmental science

Documenting the impact of climate change on coastal communities and ecosystems from aboard the sailing vessel, Novara © Novara One Planet

Novara One Planet, a project aimed to connect people to the impact of climate change through education, science and adventure, has been launched in London, UK.

The Novara One Planet project will serve as a platform for education, climate and environmental science, documenting the impact of climate change on coastal communities and ecosystems from aboard the sailing vessel, Novara. Its expeditions will aim to support coastal communities dealing with the impacts of climate change, with a focus on those which are more difficult to access.

Partnering with academic researchers, civil society influencers and local communities, the Novara One Planet team will gather information and document findings about how coastal communities are affected by, and adapting to, climate change and reducing their environmental impact. This knowledge will be used to create educational materials and deliver outreach and advocacy programmes in local communities and for the project's followers. The Novara One Planet project plans to offer opportunities for sailors and researchers to join climate change-focused sailing expeditions.

Novara One Planet has the support of a group of like-minded people who feel connected to the project's mission. Our community includes:

• Steve Brown - Adventurer and Tilman Medal winner, current owner of Novara
• Rev Bob Shepton - Adventurer, author and twice winner of the Tilman Medal
• Dr Bruce Glavovic - Lead author of the IPCC's report on Climate Change impacts on Coastal communities
• Nisreen Elsaim - Chair of the UN's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
• Victoria Syddall - Scientist examining gender and climate change in Pacific communities

Novara One Planet is being founded by Dr Nigel Jollands and Veronica Lysaght, the custodians of the Novara sailing vessel. With help from their crew of volunteers, they lead the expedition aboard Novara to promote climate change action.

Nigel has over 30 years' experience in climate change research, action and policy. He has advised the highest levels of government and managed billions of euros in climate finance funds. He holds an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal qualification and has 5,000 nautical miles in his logbook. Novara One Planet gives him an opportunity to combine two of his passions - sailing and the environment.

Veronica Lysaght will contribute to research, provide leadership development and teach facilitation skills in those communities where these skills are wanted. She has worked in management, coaching, research and facilitation for more than 20 years and is the founder of Leading with Humanity, a personalised leadership development programme.

Find out more on the website: novara.world

About the sailing vessel

Novara is a specialised high-latitude expedition yacht custom built to be independent for several months at a time. She is an aluminium hulled Bestevaer 60c, designed by the famed Dykstra naval architects and built by the world-leading KM yacht builders in 1997. She's designed as a high-latitude ice breaker research vessel with a unique aero rig constructed by Damon Roberts of Magma. With Steve Brown as skipper, she has already circumnavigated the Americas.

She has recently had a major overhaul of equipment, including rebuilding of her masts and yards in Southampton, and is now ready for another decade of research and adventure around the globe.

Documenting the impact of climate change on coastal communities and ecosystems from aboard the sailing vessel, Novara - photo © Novara One Planet