Collection UKRAINIAN EXPEDITION

Did you know that over the last 80 years, the average annual temperature near Ukraine’s “Akademik Vernadsky” station in Antarctica has risen by a staggering 3°C? That once frozen landscapes are now melting, revealing land covered in vegetation? Or that algae blooms are increasingly turning the snow pink? It might seem like nature has gone wild, but there’s a clear explanation — climate change.

Take Subantarctic penguins, for example — the most numerous neighbors of our polar scientists today. Before 2007, these birds didn’t even nest in this region! The waters around Galindez Island, home to the station, used to remain frozen for much longer, making it an unsuitable habitat for them.

But as temperatures continue to rise, the landscape is shifting. Penguins have started claiming the island, and in the last decade their nesting population has increased sixfold. By 2024, a record-breaking 7,000 penguins were living near the station.

While these new neighbors may seem like a charming addition, global warming is a serious threat to ecosystems worldwide. That’s why the Ukrainian polar researchers at “Akademik Vernadsky” work tirelessly to study and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the environment.

To highlight the importance of science and the urgency of climate action, we’ve created a special edition T-shirt. The design showcases the “new reality” of these Antarctic residents — where Subantarctic penguin chicks are seen grabbing surfboards and heading out to ride the waves in the warming waters of Antarctica.

This collection is more than just apparel — it’s a call to action.