Ailim Schwambach, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

I am a biologist and environmental educator engaged in Antarctic science since 2000, when I participated in Operantar in Brazil. Since then, I have focused on polar education and science communication, delivering talks about Antarctica and climate change to over 5,000 children across Brazil. I have written and translated books on Antarctica and glaciers, making scientific knowledge accessible to broader audiences. I also served as Educational Coordinator of APECS Brazil, supporting initiatives that connect early-career researchers and promote polar education. My work aims to raise awareness of the global importance of the polar regions.

What keeps you going?

What keeps me going is the opportunity to connect people, especially children, with places they may never physically reach, like Antarctica, and help them understand why those regions matter to their lives. I am motivated by the moment when complex scientific ideas become meaningful and spark curiosity or care. Knowing that education can shape how future generations relate to climate change and the environment gives purpose to my work. I do what I do because I believe that accessible knowledge can inspire responsibility, empathy, and action toward a more sustainable and just world.

What’s your message to the world?

Caring for Antarctica is caring for the world. What happens in the polar regions reflects directly on the health of our planet, influencing climate, oceans, and life far beyond the ice.

My message is that when we choose to protect a place as distant and fragile as Antarctica, we are also choosing to care for our shared future. This awareness helps us understand that every action matters, no matter where we are.

By fostering connection, respect, and responsibility for the poles, we strengthen a global culture of care—one that extends to all ecosystems and communities on Earth.