Lewis Pugh OIG said to government leaders around the world who had assembledin Glasgow, Scotland in November for the UN Climate Conference (COP26), “What I witnessed in Greenland is the most visceral example of what is happening to our planet because of our failure to reduce emissions. It is not an abstract possibility for the future. It is real and it is happening now.”
Pugh, the UN Patron of the Oceans, appealed to the leaders at the UN Climate Conferenceand the general public around the world with the story of his pioneering 14-stage swimover 12 days where he swam a total of 7.8 km in the Ilulissat Icefjord within the Arctic Circle as part of his Greenland Swim in a demonstration of the Climate Crisis. Hisunprecedented multi-stage swim exposed him to water temperatures between 0°C and 3°C (32°F – 37.4°F).
In addition to his global social media reach and his one-on-one meetings with world leaders, he wants government officials, manufacturers, and the common person to move beyond statements to immediate action.
To follow Lewis Pugh, visit lewispugh.comTo follow Lewis Pugh’s tweets, visit @lewispughTo follow Lewis Pugh’s Instagram, visit @lewis.pughTo follow Lewis Pugh on Facebook, visit LewisPughOceans page or on YouTube, visit herePugh addressed the world’s leaders at the COP26 (ukcop26.org).
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
