LONG BEACH, Calif. (Map) - LONG BEACH, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BP Alternative Energy is pleased to host internationally renowned polar explorer and environmental advocate Robert Swan; bringing his 5-year, worldwide sailing expedition and lecture series, the Voyage for Cleaner Energy, to Long Beach on May 15.

The 67-foot racing yacht "2041" departed San Francisco on April 8th and will arrive in Long Beach on Thursday. The sailboat serves as the project's floating goodwill ambassador as Swan and his crew journey to the U.S., Russia, Europe, China, and India over the next five years, increasing awareness about environmental issues related to climate change and inspiring young people to lead the way in implementing practical, viable solutions.

Vivienne Cox, Chief Executive of BP Alternative Energy said: "We are delighted to support Robert's latest voyage with real working examples of low carbon energy in action on board his sailboat. Robert's voyage is an important demonstration in raising awareness that low carbon energy is both economically and technically feasible -- and that as these clean energy technologies grow to scale, the energy they produce will become significant and highly competitive with other energies available in the marketplace."

The Voyage for Cleaner Energy spring lecture series features Robert Swan at twenty-two universities and colleges up and down the west coast of the U.S. between April 8th and May 23rd. On May 22, the lecture series will be at the University of CA, Santa Barbara. This lecture will be open to the public.

Swan is the first person ever to walk to both poles and has recently returned from one month in Antarctica where he lived at his E-Base education station for two weeks powered only by renewable energy. Swan and his team also completed the sixth Inspire Antarctic Expedition with 80 people representing 20 nations.

The "2041" has revolutionary sails made from recycled plastic bottles, solar panels, wind turbines, and an engine that runs on bio-fuels. It is outfitted with dozens of eco-friendly features and carries green products and technology on board.

Swan will travel from city to city sharing information with university students, corporate executives, and government officials about renewable energy and sustainability. Successful initiatives from each city will be showcased during the international voyage, as will a variety of academic programs.

The Voyage for Cleaner Energy has made stops in Portland, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and San Diego. Phase 1 is supported by BP Alternative Energy and 24 different colleges and universities along the west coast.