As the BBC take the decision to shelter audiences from the impact of climate change on our poles, one bloke from Coventry is risking his life on a record breaking journey to raise awareness.
Read the full press release below.
One man’s journey to save our planet
London/Punta Arenas, 16 November 2011 – As the BBC take the decision to shelter audiences from the impact of climate change on our poles, one bloke from Coventry is risking his life on a record breaking journey to raise awareness.
Ex-army boy and firefighter Mark Wood hopes to become the first person in history to conquer the South and North Pole’s alone. It’s the toughest journey on the planet, and the planet is Mark’s motivation.
“There’s a 25% chance I might not make it back alive,” said Mark. “But frankly if we don’t start taking climate change seriously there’s an even higher probability that our planet won’t survive much longer.”
This week Mark steps foot on the ice, beginning the 680 mile trek to the South Pole. Then, the week after Christmas he will be picked up and flown north, ready to start all over again and conquer the North Pole.
“This expedition isn’t a record breaking attempt – it’s a world first attempt!” added Mark.
David Attenborough’s ‘Frozen Planet’ has shown us the Pole’s magnificence but global warming has changed the landscape since the great explorers set out a hundred years ago. It is Mark’s hope that his incredible one-man challenge will inspire others to act.
Mark left us with one last thought: “I want people to see that my struggle is a drop in the ocean compared to the struggle the human race is going through now.”
And with that, dragging 24.8 kilograms of chocolate behind him, Mark sets off.
Wish Mark luck and follow his progress here: www.markwoodexplorer.com/blog.
24.8 kilograms of chocolate