» Clearwater Challenge

Clearwater Challenge

Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity

Listen to Ryan de Jongh's challenge

www.carmabi.org and Nature is Life.org

If you believe that without Nature there is no life, please take some time to consider the following information.

My name is Ryan de Jongh. I am a ‘local guy’ from the Island of Curaçao in the southern Caribbean.

Carmabi, a local foundation, has been dedicated to research and the conservation of our nature for the past 52 years, with a high rate of success. Without Carmabi and its dedication to research and the preservation of our natural resources, so much of which we have been gifted stands in great danger.

The reason for this communication is because Carmabi is currently in a very tight financial problem. It would be sad if a foundation that has been accumulating valuable information for every human being on earth through research with universities in the United States and Europe, for more than five decades, would have to become non-existent.

You are important because you are part of this planet. If I could consult with you how to raise enough money to make this a reality for Carmabi, I would. I know you are very creative, so be part of this cause in one way or another.

My part in this cause is to make people aware that we have to take better care of our environment. So by ‘challenging’ myself, I am reaching out and explaining to the world that without Nature we, as human beings, simply do not exist. The ‘challenge’ is paddling in a kayak from Saint Marten to Curaçao in 18 to 22 days, 1606 km.(1003,75 Miles), totally in the arms of Nature’s control.

Do you think this is crazy? I think destroying our planet is crazy. No Nature, no life. Think about it!

We tend to think we know a lot about nature, and we do, but in too many ways we stand aside and believe that someone, somewhere, will make it all right. Because of research centers such as Carmabi, we are learning more and more about our environment and we are slowly beginning to realize that we have to take better care of our planet or, simply die, because we do not care.

If we can raise enough money together to start a strong trust fund for Carmabi, I believe we have done something incredible for ourselves. I leave it up to you to decide how much money you might choose to contribute. Even one dollar helps. I gave all I have.

Let’s give these great scientists a helping hand for our own sake. They are dedicated and so should we be. If you would like to know more about Carmabi or my ‘challenges’, go to www.carmabi.org and Nature is Life.org. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.

Just to give some examples of the successes over the years:

Carmabi is on the forefront of coral reef research for over 40 years. The longest running monitoring project in the world is located on Curaçao and is still sampled by the renowned coral reef expert Dr. Rolf Bak. The information collected over the years form the basis for advanced international studies on reef health, the response of coral reefs to global climate change and the like.

Dr. Bill Gerwick has done a lot of research on the marine algae Lyngbya found in our waters. This organism produces several chemical compounds which are very interesting for the pharmaceutical industry. Only two small locations on Curaçao are the only places in the world where, amazingly enough, this organism produces a compound which has been named Curacin A. This compound is currently in a testing phase to be developed into an anti-cancer medicine. From a certain type of hydroid found in our waters a certain antiseptic compound has been extracted which is now used worldwide in anti-inflammatory ointments. The healthy Curaçaoan reefs provide a high level of biodiversity, which will undoubtedly contain myriads of yet unknown compounds which will cure current and future ailments. Only more research will reveal the extension of this potential goldmine.

The geology of Curaçao is quite interesting, and provides scientists, like Prof. Dr. Bruce Fouke of the University of Illinois, the perfect natural laboratory for a variety of studies with direct practical implications for humanity. Examples are research on how to pump excess CO2 into rock layers in order to get rid of it, and the mechanics involved, but also studies on the genesis of oil and gas, which, unfortunately, are still the basis of energy for humanity and will be for years to come.

How important is life to you? I guess it is all we have! Be a part of your own survival.

We love and need one another,

Ryan de Jongh

The ‘Challenger’ and the volunteers of the Clear Water Challenge 3

The Ryan de Jongh foundation MCB 221.303.06 (Swift: MCBKANCU)

Bank accounts: Carmabi foundation/Clear Water Challenge

RBTT 103.511.32 (Swift: RBTTANCU – The Netherlands: RABONL2U)

MCB 218.654.03 (Swift: MCBKANCU – The Netherlands: RABONL2U)

Banko di Caribe 242.890.01 (Swift: BDCCANCU)

Giro 161.925 (Swift: CHASUS33 – Europe GIROCANCU)

Please forward this to everyone you know and become at least a 1 dollar contributor any where you are on the Planet for the Planet! Thank you for your support.

Contact:

Clear Water Challenge III

Sales &

Marketing Assistant: Jeritsa Ignesia

Mobile: +599 5692034

E-mail: jeritsa@natureislife.org

Ryan de Jongh’s Track Record

1998 – 55km Kayaking from playa Kalki to Sea-aquarium, Curacao

1999 – 500km Cycling nonstop for 30 hours, Curacao

2000 – 116km Cycling 55km kayaking and 65km jogging 27 hours extreme triathlon, Curacao

2000 – 80km Kayaking from Bonaire to Curacao 13 hours, Bonaire

2001 – 185km Kayaking from Curacao to Aruba 22 hours, Curacao

2002 – 150km Kayaking 2 times around Aruba 23 hours, Aruba

2007 – 155km Kayaking around Curacao 33 hours, Curacao

2008 – 50km Kayaking 10km cycling 40km walking triathlon, Curacao