Plymouth-born United Nations Ocean Patron Lewis Pugh has completed his incredible swim in Antartic waters to raise awareness of the climate crisis and the shrinking of the ice in polar regions.

Luke has sent his congratulations to Lewis on completing the world’s first swim underneath the East Antarctic ice sheet along a sub-glacial river, in order to call for the creation of vital Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around Antarctica, one of the world’s last great ocean wildernesses.

Lewis and Luke worked together as part of Luke’s successful campaign to designate Plymouth Sound as the UK’s first National Marine Park.

Under international law, 25 nations and the EU have to agree all measures to protect Antarctica. There are currently three Antarctic MPA proposals under consideration. To date, all countries and the EU have agreed to the protection of the next MPA in East Antarctica, with the exception of Russia and China. Straight after the swim, Lewis is heading to Moscow for meetings with political leaders.

Luke said:

“The climate emergency means we not only need to take steps to cut carbon and ensure a just transition to a zero carbon economy we also need to protect fragile and vulnerable habitats and that includes the largely unspoilt habitats in Antartica. I want to see more of our oceans protected and a much greater emphasis put on sustainability.”