Swiss Family Adventured across the World by Natural Energy Arrives in Shanghai Expo

A 12-year Eco-expedition across 7 Seas and 7 Summits

Shanghai, July 1, 2010 – As one stop of a 12 year long eco-expedition sailing across 7 seas and climbing across 7 summits powered only by natural energy, the Swiss adventurer Dario Schwörer and his family have arrived in Shanghai Expo by bike to share their story with Expo visitors and university students at the Swiss Pavilion.

The journey, called “TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition”, is led by Dario Schwörer, a Swiss climatologist and mountain guide and his wife Sabine, a nurse. Together they decided to embark on this voyage in 2002 when they saw the impact climate change was having in the Alps. The family travel by using only environmentally-friendly transportation: walking, biking and sailing. Their transportation on the sea is a Swiss-made boat, powered by solar and wind energies that can operate in complete autonomy with maximum safety in the toughest marine environments. They also cycle cross continents and climb the highest peaks on their own strength.

Their journey also involves educational activities with schools and universities all over the world with a mission to inspire clean energy solutions. To date, they have sailed over 70,000 kilometers in their expedition vessel, climbed 400,000 vertical meters, cycled over 18,000 kilometers and visited over 46,000 students.

TOPtoTOP at Shanghai Expo

After the expedition across Europe, Americas, Oceania and Australia, the Swiss family continued their travel to Asia and arrived by bike in Shanghai in end of June. This family will now share their personal story at the Swiss Pavilion, from 5 – 8 July, from 11am – 1pm everyday on the pavilion stage in urban space. Dario Schwörer will also meet invited professors and students from Fudan, Tongji and Jiaotong University to talk about his inspirational experience at the Swiss Pavilion.

“Children are our future. Our mission is to inspire young people to work towards a more sustainable future. There is no greater platform to raise awareness in China than the platform of the Shanghai World Expo, where “Better City, Better Life” underscores the heart of our mission. We hope more and more people will join us to make their own efforts on the world climate protection.” said Dario Schwörer.

“We are glad to host the family of the TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition. This eco-expedition is a truly worthy cause, pioneered by Swiss innovation and backed with the support of the Swiss government and Swiss citizens who are committed to environmental sustainability. Their mission aligns perfectly with the theme of the Swiss Pavilion and Expo, that’s why we want to bring the Schwörers to Shanghai to share their story with Expo visitors.” said Anne-Sophie Cosandey, Deputy Director of the Swiss Pavilion.

“Green Path” on the Seven Summits

On 23 May of 2010, the expedition team reached the summit of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. During the expedition, they are also concentrating the clean up project, going into the local community to encourage and assist people to clean up their surroundings. Along the route they leave a “green path” by cleaning up at least the same amount of waste as they produce.

“Getting to the summit is not our ultimate goal though. We are here to clean the mountain and the area around it.” said Sabine Schwörer, “The clean-up project with volunteers and locals in Khumbutal was the focus of our three months in the Everest region. Even my 8-month-old son Noe joined collecting trash with us.”

Inspiring Young People for a Better Future

All three children of Sabine and Dario were all born on their global tour. Before the eldest daughter Salina was born, she already achieved a world record of sailing 5000 nautical miles, cycling 2500 km and climbing 4000m.

With each stop throughout the expedition that Sabine, Dario Schwörer and their followers make, they visit local schools and share adventures with children. Through their interaction with school children, they hope to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change and show that one can enjoy nature through sport but at the same time give something back to nature.

The next destination of their journey will be back to India where they will jump on their boat and sail to Africa in a bid to climb Kilimanjaro.

About TOPtoTOP

The TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition, a unique project under the patronages of United Nations Environment Program and the Swiss government, sponsored by the private sector (SGS, Victorinox), is the first expedition to travel over the seven seas and the seven summits of all climate zones, powered only by human and natural energy such as the wind and the sun.

The mission is to inspire children for a better future. Along the expedition the Schwörers share examples of nature’s beauty and innovations for a green planet, in class rooms all over the world.

The key message is "climate protection" and "enjoy nature through sport but also give something back to nature".

The expedition is a reference to demonstrate that great goals and progress can be achieved in balance with nature.

The vision is that TOPtoTOP becomes a lasting platform which inspires children for nature and sport globally."

Mt. Blanc, Aconcagua, Denali, Mt. Kosciuszko, Mt. Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Vinson are seven summits the expedition team has either conquered or plans to conquer in the 12 year journey. 

Contact

For information and pictures (downloadable) about ToptoTop, please visit:
www.toptotop.org
or log in www.mydrive.ch
Login: media@swisspavilion
Password: swisspavilion

Contacts and further inquiries:
Ms. Tran Kieu Duy
Marketing & Communications, Swiss Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 2022 8261
E-Mail: tran@swisspavilion.ch