Joan Mulloy, a professional solo sailor from Ireland, has joined Team UMIAQ, a group of female athletes, filmmakers, scientists and technologists sailing from Iceland to Greenland to conduct research, drive awareness and start a new conversation around climate change.
The team are currently sailing non-assisted to Greenland through one of the world's most remote and extreme weather systems. During the expedition, TEAM UMIAQ will be researching microplastic pollution and ice melt in the Arctic region, piloting new adventure equipment materials created from captured CO2, testing an on-board renewable energy desalination and navigation system, and capturing the journey on film.
Joan is joined by renowned British explorer and scientist Felicity Aston, who was the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica, Sophia Scott, filmmaker, and co-founder of GROUNDTRUTH Global.
The mission is focusing on data and technology as Team UMIAQ explore previously unreachable points of Greenland that have never been researched but are now accessible due to climate change. The team of scientists onboard will be collecting samples for microplastics and heavy metals analysis which will be tested by the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton.
Joan Mulloy said, “I’m so inspired to be on this journey with such an incredible group of women. We are passionate about our respective sports and are grateful for the opportunities they have given us, but now more than ever they are all being impacted by the effects of climate change. We want to use this mission to aid research, drive awareness, and ultimately lead each of our sport industries into creating change.”
A documentary, about Team UMIAQ’s expedition, will be released later in the year. November 2021.
