Putting the Global Back in Global Expedition

February 1st, 2010 → 7:00 am @ Andrew

9


Putting the Global Back in Global Expedition
Photo Credit

I’ve been reconsidering the mission and route of the expedition lately. My initial plan was just to untie my boat and sail wherever I felt. That morphed into planning and the intent to wrap some sort of purpose around my meanderings. The basic idea was to undertake an adventure that didn’t involve burning fossil fuels of any kind.

Basically, the route has always been in question. I wanted to make it something more comprehensive than a circumnavigation. There’s always been a certain element of trailblazing that I haven’t been able to beat out of my personality. The first thing that came to mind was to make an implied statement of global connection and hit every country on the way. I’m pretty sure nobody’s done that without tons (literally) of jet fuel, so it seemed to make sense.

What’s had me thinking lately is “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. First… a quick bit of context.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The United Nations officially adopted the declaration on December 10, 1948. 

…THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, …keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive… to promote respect for these rights and freedoms [by] progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance…

And… here are the bits that have been popping into my mind every time I think about the goals of the expedition…

Article 13.

  1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
  2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 15.

  1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
  2. No one shall be… denied the right to change his nationality.

Where Is Any of this True?

In the 60+ years since this declaration was passed, we’re not even close to freedom of movement. Freedom of residence feels almost Utopian. And I’m not just singling out whoever the “Axis of Evil” happens to be when you read this. Visa applications, limits, and restrictions are the status quo.

This all has me thinking that maybe checking off a list of countries isn’t really that meaningful. It also has me thinking that dancing around and spending time and resources to arrange travel to every country only serves to reinforce the status quo. If “we” all agreed to work toward a world in which we can travel where we want, why do we just play along? I’m in the mood to opt out.

New Expedition Route [Open Thread]

So… You should leave me your thoughts. It’s fine with me if you want to get political, but I’d love it if you have ideas on alternative expedition routes. Of course, it still has to fit within the restriction of zero fossil fuel burning. I’ve gotten more than a couple emails saying you’re living vicariously trough me… Well… Help me live your vicarious life to the fullest!

Here are a couple of the ideas that may not have been done (I haven’t thoroughly researched them):

  • Circumnavigate the globe… the wrong way. No, not left to right instead of right to left. How about north to south? Obviously, you can’t sail through the poles, but there are a circumnavigable routes in that general orientation.
  • How about circumnavigate the usual route, but with no sails? I’m thinking a mass of wind turbines in the place of sails coupled with electric propulsion. Lots of fun engineering problems with that one.

I do have another mega-idea that I know hasn’t been done (and more fully encompasses the “all of planet earth” vibe), but I don’t want to give that one away just yet. :)

Whatchya thinkin’?

Tags: