For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavour. This rigorous baseline ensures that the work can be repeated at regular intervals in the future. These ecosystems may be critical as temperatures continue to rise and weather patterns change, but they are not easy terrains to navigate. Boyes first ventured into the south-eastern highlands of Angola with the NGOWP, working alongside community members and a multidisciplinary team. German-born American conservationist George Schaller, who has been instrumental in preventing the destruction of environments; he has helped establish more than 20 wildlife reserves around the world and protect some of the most endangered animals, including mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and snow leopards in Mongolia. In turn, these groundbreaking expeditions have proved to be the perfect living laboratory for the brand to test and develop its timepieces. MOUNT EVEREST In 1974 Rolex began supporting the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society, a global community of marine professionals dedicated to the oceans. Rolex and the National Geographic Society collaborate to support scientific research and expeditions, such as the Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition, to better understand existing environmental issues. ROLEX AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE WE BELIEVE THAT THE WATER THAT WE HAVE DOCUMENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANGOLA IS THE LARGEST EXPRESSION OF A WATER TOWER LIKE THIS IN THE WORLD. Rolex watches have accompanied these explorers to the highest mountains and to the ocean depths, serving as precise, reliable tools. The Perpetual Planet Initiative is rapidly expanding and now has a portfolio of more than 20 partners including Sylvia Earles Mission Blue which Rolex has partnered since 2014 to preserve the oceans through a network of marine-protected Hope Spots; an enhanced partnership with the National Geographic Society to study the impacts of climate change; and the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, which for more than 45 years have been supporting exceptional individuals with innovative projects benefiting our world. At this occasion, the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year is announced. 3 reasons why the Perpetual Planet initiative matters - Rolex.org With over 145 Hope Spots, Mission Blue is contributing to the global aim of safeguarding 30% of the Ocean's surface area by 2030. GO THERE. This was essential for exploration in dark environments caves, for example or polar regions that experience six months each of daylight and darkness. The peatlands act as sponges that feed the rivers, even during drier periods. Todays explorers are increasingly concerned about the balance of the Earths ecosystems. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. Read this subscriber-only article for free! The Under The Pole expeditions are pushing back the boundaries of underwater exploration. PERPETUAL PLANET INITIATIVE For nearly a century, Rolex has accompanied pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavor. So is our contribution to future generations. National Geographic Society Launches Groundbreaking Multi-year Our watches are built to last. Today, Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile implement Tompkins Conservations strategies as its offspring organizations. On the other hand, Dr Earles Mission Blue aims to create a global network of marine protected areas (MPAs) called Hope Spots to shield marine life from human pressures. In order to locate the forest, team members repeatedly dived into the Arctic Ocean, at sites never explored before. IT IS THE LIFELINE. This knowledge is shared with an international consortium of scientists to help define the significance of this rare Arctic habitat as a biodiversity hotspot, and campaign for its protection. #Perpetual Follow us Themes Perpetual Our founding spirit But efforts should not just come from the governmental front alone. For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavour. This short film is an inspiration and a reminder to us all of our responsibility to protect the marine environment especially in the face of a changing world. IN 1960, THE TRIESTE, PILOTED BY JACQUES PICCARD AND DON WALSH, DESCENDED TO THE MARIANA TRENCH. Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative Under The Pole: Deeplife Svalbard These are areas of the oceans designated as being vital to the preservation of species. Let us make the right choice today, so that our children and grandchildren can look back and be proud of the direction we have set., The United Nations also agrees its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stressed the urgency to act, noting that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying. Enabled, Increase contrast PHOTO: ROLEX / COURTESY OF JOSEPH COOK, Other Rolex Awards Laureates include Ms Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, whose Rags2Riches organisation in the Philippines helps poor women earn a living by, upcycled and overstock fabric to create high-end fashion accessories. The water tower is considered the most vulnerable in Today, with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative and Mission Blue, Bessudo is working tirelessly to help improve and expand the marine protection around Malpelo to preserve its breathtaking biodiversity. Disabled, Reduce animations Aston and her team will gather important data for polar sea ice research. Enabled, Increase contrast The Everest expedition team, led by National Geographic and Tribhuvan University, set out to improve understanding of the effects of climate change on the glaciers of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya that provide critical water resources to 1 billion people downstream. OTHER KEY PARTNERSHIPS As the 21st century unfolds, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. They take concrete action to find solutions to today's challenges. Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative celebrates partnerships like this that encourage and inspire the next generation of underwater explorers and conservationists. With the Perpetual Planet initiative, the watchmaker will continue to do so, now and into the future. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. For instance, since 1974, the company has funded scholarships given by the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society to young people, who want to pursue careers in aquatic-related fields. Over several years, the team plans to travel more than 40,000 km, equivalent to a journey around the planet. SYLVIA EARLES MISSION BLUE The discovery represents an important advance in Arctic marine science, where biodiversity at this depth has long been a mystery. The jury changes with each edition of the Awards, but generally includes conservationists, doctors, educators, explorers, scientists and innovators. CORAL GARDENERS Disabled. LUNGWEVUNGU EXPEDITION COMMITMENT TO A PERPETUAL PLANET His latest initiative, the Great Spine of Africa series of expeditions, began in mid-2022 and builds upon this first NGOWP expedition, to develop these expeditions along the continents main rivers with the goal of better understanding and protecting Africas crucial waterways. The partnership enables world-renowned scientific expertise and cutting-edge technology to be harnessed, revealing new insights about the impacts of climate change on the systems that are vital to life on Earth: mountains as the worlds water towers, rainforests as the planets lungs, and oceans as its cooling system. Instead, the ecosystem is dominated by animals like corals, gorgonians (soft corals) and sponges that anchor themselves to rocks. Eighty per cent of [Palau's]entire exclusive economic zone is now a safe haven for wildlife, and 20 per cent is managed so that the local population can draw on the ocean for their livelihood. NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT AN ARCHIPELAGO OF THESE WATER TOWERS ALL THE WAY UP AFRICA. Sandra Bessudo has dedicated her life to the wild waters of Malpelo Island. In the 2000s, they began to donate the land back to the two governments for the creation of national parks. What it discovers will provide crucial information to protect the people and wildlife dependent on Africas great rivers. THESE UNDERWATER FORESTS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE Where there is no current protection, once applications for Hope Spot status are approved by the Mission Blue council in partnership with the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) work on a conservation plan begins with local populations, environmental organizations and governments. Underwater canyons in both areas create optimal feeding grounds for fauna including rare cetacean species. Studies were conducted on the regions biology, geology and glaciology, which led to the publication of a number of scientific papers. On the surface, Malpelo Island appears to be a barren volcanic rock jutting out of the ocean hundreds of kilometres off the . The peatlands act as sponges that feed the rivers, even during drier periods. Steve Boyes. Rolex stands alongside them through its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Thirty years ago, entrepreneurs Kristine and the late Doug Tompkins purchased vast tracts of land in Chile and Argentina for the purpose of rewilding them with key local species and set up a process of sustainable management with the support of local communities. The water itself was analysed through systematic measurements of the rivers structure, flow and water quality. We are working on the ground to protect and restore our coral reefs and the tremendous biodiversity they contain. In 1933, the brand first equipped the British Everest Expedition and again in 1953 on Sir John Hunts historic expedition, when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest. is the first woman in Nepal to gain certification from the elite International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. For nearly a century, Rolex has accompanied pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavor. It is based on a fundamental belief in unlimited human potential, in continuous improvement, in always pushing the boundaries and taking the long-term view. Disabled, Reduce animations In French Polynesia, they studied the local reef ecosystem, which requires deep, extremely technical diving to the mesophotic zone, a layer of water that lies roughly between 30 and 150 metres below the ocean surface. Under the Perpetual Planet initiative, Rolex has enhanced its partnership with the National Geographic Society to study climate changes impact, and with oceanographer Sylvia Earles Mission Blue, an organisation that aims to safeguard marine life by protecting areas critical to the health of the ocean. Through its partnerships, relationships and programmes, Rolex is supporting these explorers as part of its commitment to a Perpetual Planet. These adorable sand cats could be under threat | CNN She said: Currently, there are almost no technologies that work on the really dirty plastics. This exhaustive research is beginning to yield exciting results. Successful first Great Spine of Africa expedition to document and protect river that feeds the Zambezi led by Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative partner explorer Steve Boyes. Rolex supports the two Italy-based organizations One Ocean Foundation and Menkab, which strive for the protection of cetacean populations in two important areas of the Mediterranean through acoustic monitoring, visual survey, environmental DNA analysis and education. Perpetual Planet Initiative - Malpelo Island Hope Spot | Rolex Heres a look at the initiatives impact. For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers, pushing back the boundaries of human endeavour. The annual National Geographic Explorers Festival is supported by Rolex. The team also installed a network of five weather stations including what was then the worlds highest, just short of the summit of Everest. IT IS THE LIFELINE., Steve Boyes, founder of the Great Spine of Africa expeditions. A key clue was whether there were strong currents, which carry nutrients and sustain the marine animal forests. The IPF raised funds to build an international research station in Antarctica, designed to operate on renewable energies. Under The Pole has set out to change this. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY The Rolex Testimonee a phrase to describe a leader in his or her field and shares common values and philosophies with the watchmaker said: Eighty per cent of the entire exclusive economic zone is now a safe haven for wildlife, and 20 per cent is managed so that the local population can draw on the ocean for their livelihood.. Currently, 8 per cent of the oceans are protected. Steve Boyes, founder of the Great Spine of Africa expeditions. Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, offspring organizations of the Tompkins Conservation Foundation protect landscapes in South America. From preserving nature to helping communities: This watchmaker enables Although Rolex officially became a corporate benefactor of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in London in. Founded in 2017, the organization grows and transplants resilient corals to restore dying reefs, while working to inspire others to act similarly to save coral reefs worldwide. For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavour. In partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet initiative, We The Earth unravels the relationship between humans and nature to help us better understand how we can each play a part in ensuring our planet stands the test of time. Underwater canyons in both areas create optimal feeding grounds for fauna including rare cetacean species. In light of its increased involvement with exploration, in 1971, Rolex launched the Explorer II, featuring a date display, an additional 24-hour hand and a fixed bezel with a 24-hour graduation, enabling the wearer to distinguish hours of the day from those of the night. Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative Under The Pole: Deeplife Svalbard Expedition. It supports individuals and organizations using science to understand the worlds environmental challenges and devise solutions that will restore balance to our ecosystems. Among explorers who have benefited from the Awards are: Francesco Sauro, who is leading scientific expeditions deep into the caves of South Americas remote tabletop mountains; Cristian Donoso, who kayaked along the coast of Western Patagonia, documenting this dramatic region to throw a spotlight on its value; Gina Moseley, who is exploring the planets northernmost caves to improve our knowledge of climate change in the Arctic; Luiz Rocha who is studying deep-sea corals to advance the case for their protection. Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex is supporting Steve Boyes Great Spine of Africa series of expeditions, traversing thousands of kilometres of rivers that have never been scientifically documented. This work will build on the Tropical Forest Vulnerability Index developed by National Geographic in 2019 with the support of Rolex. PHOTO: ROLEX / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, Since then, both organisations have joined forces on expeditions and backed each others campaigns, further contributing. Since 1976, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise has supported individuals with visionary projects to help people and protect the environment. Think like an ocean. Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, All Rights Reserved. The initiatives aim is to champion efforts by individuals and organisations, casting the spotlight on the earths fragile ecosystems, and design solutions to environmental challenges, thus promoting the planets preservation. The company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet, committing for the long term to support individuals and organizations using science to understand and devise solutions to todays environmental challenges. What it discovers will provide crucial information to protect the people and wildlife dependent on Africas great rivers. The initiative supports individuals and organizations using science to understand the worlds environmental challenges and devise solutions that will restore balance to our ecosystems. German cave diver Robbie Schmittner and his Xunaan-Ha Expedition explored cave systems and found sources of contaminated water in Yucatns giant aquifer. THERE IS A GENERATION OF WORK STILL TO BE DONE ON THESE RIVERS, ESTABLISHING BASELINES, SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT THEM PROPERLY. With the installation of the weather station, scientists have a window into atmospheric processes in the high Chilean Andes. During their first series of dives, the team repeatedly drew a blank. But with such urgent issues facing the planet, the company. As the 21st century unfolds, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. WE DISCOVERED THESE VAST PEATLANDS THAT HAVE INCREDIBLE WATER STORAGE CAPACITY. Rolex also supports Mission Blues Champions: individuals and organizations who lead local preservation efforts in their respective Hope Spots. PHOTO: ROLEX / KIP EVANS, The Rolex Testimonee a phrase to describe a leader in his or her field and shares common values and philosophies with the watchmaker said: Eighty per cent of, is now a safe haven for wildlife, and 20 per cent is managed so that the local population can draw on the ocean for their livelihood.. Canadian Paul Nicklen and his partner Mexico-born marine biologist Cristina Mittermeier are two of the worlds most influential conservation photographers. Rolex is linked to some of the greatest feats of exploration of the past century. UNDERWATER ARCTIC ANIMAL FOREST. The Rolex Awards, launched in 1976, are part of the Swiss watchmaker's Perpetual Planet initiative to support people and organizations in their quest to understand and devise scientific solutions to today's environmental challenges. Yellow-crested cockatoos find an unlikely urban refuge in Hong Kong | CNN The information gained from the expedition, coupled with additional data sets on water supply and demand from mountain chains across the world, also formed the basis of a new index to track the health of the most important and vulnerable water systems and inform decisions to help protect them. Today, with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative and Mission Blue, Bessudo is working tirelessly to help improve and expand the marine protection around Malpelo to preserve its breathtaking biodiversity. By 1960, Rolexs involvement with exploration took a new turn down to the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific, the deepest point in the oceans, the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest plus some 2,000 metres. The 155 women and men selected as Laureates since the programme was launched have had an extraordinary impact. , who created Hearts in the Ice, are the first women to have spent the winter in total autonomy in the Arctic. BREEF is a non-governmental nonprofit Bahamian foundation concerned with educating our people about the value of and need for conserving our marine environment. Learning more about its sources and unique ecosystems will help scientists and local communities to protect these areas and the Zambezi River into the future, building resilience against climate change. Perpetual Planet Initiative - Official Rolex Website - Swiss Luxury Watches stated Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, BREEF Executive Director. The Monaco Blue Initiative annual forum works to preserve marine environments. stated Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, BREEF Executive Director. Today, Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile implement Tompkins Conservations strategies as its offspring organizations. As co-residents of this planet, sharing space with nature, we have a responsibility to sustain this home we call Earth. Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex supports Coral Gardeners, a collective of young ocean advocates with one mission: save the reefs. To ensure the precision and reliability of its timepieces, Rolex submits each watch after assembly to a stringent series of tests. The divers deployed their research programme, recording the species inhabiting the forest and environmental data such as temperature. Washington, D.C. (April 12, 2022) Today, National Geographic Society announced the launch of the Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition - a series of scientific research studies spanning the entire Amazon River Basin from the Andes to the Atlantic, supported by Rolex as part of its Perpetual Planet initiative. Rolex also provides support to the Explorers Clubs Global Exploration Summit (GLEX) where a wide range of world-leading explorers, from astronauts to biologists, gather annually. The current exploration programme, Under The Pole Deeplife, is expanding the research conducted in 2021 and will study deep-sea marine animal forests across the globe.